Kubicek BB85 accident near Hartsel, Colorado, July 27, 2011
On July 27, 2011 at about 1:45 pm local time, a Kubicek BB85 (balloon), registered N1545T, was involved in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Hartsel, Colorado. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 10 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's encounter with high wind which resulted in a hard landing and passenger injury.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 27, 2011 · about 1:45 pm local time
- Place
- Hartsel, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 10 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Kubicek BB85 Z
- Registration
- N1545T · registry record · serial 827
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Following a sightseeing flight, the pilot was attempting to land a hot air balloon when the wind velocity increased. On the initial touchdown, the balloon bounced, and traveled about 30 feet before experiencing a hard landing. Of the ten passengers on board, one sustained a broken leg. There was no damage to the balloon. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Other weather encounter during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent rate › Attain/maintain not possible
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › (general) › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 2,562 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 42 in the last 90 days; 22 in the last 30 days; 2,562 as pilot in command; 205 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 8, 2010
- Medical certificate: None
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 36 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 16, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Colorado Rocky Ballooning LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Harstel CO at 1:00 pm
- Destination: Harstel CO
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 9 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.45 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 9 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.