Cameron Balloons Us ZL-70 N31010
9 October 2024 · Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 9 October 2024 at about 14:05 local time, a Cameron Balloons Us ZL-70 registered N31010 was involved in an accident near Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 14:05
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States
- Coordinates
- 35.2501, -106.6210
- Aircraft
- Cameron Balloons Us ZL-70
- Registration
- N31010
- Category
- Balloon
- Year built
- 2024
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Albuquerque → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Minor
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- WPR25LA081
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
The pilot’s inability to maintain clearance from a tree during the landing approach due to a gusting wind shift.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot of the balloon reported that he was descending the balloon to land in a field, with wind coming from the north at about 10 kts. When the balloon was about 30 ft above ground level, the wind shifted and started to come from the northwest with an approximate 15 kt gust. The balloon changed direction during the wind gust and the pilot attempted to correct by burning the balloon’s tow burners, however, the balloon impacted a tree. The balloon sustained minor damage to its basket and envelope, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Apr 2024 | Cessna 195B | Portales, New Mexico, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 28 Dec 2024 | Cessna T210L | Gallup, New Mexico, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 31 Dec 2024 | Cessna 182M | Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Apr 2024 | Bearhawk 4-PLACE | Buckhorn, New Mexico, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jan 2024 | Bender Thomas G RV-6 | Moriarty, New Mexico, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 13 Jun 2024 | Warren B Cox COX BREEZY | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |