Cameron Balloons US AX10 accident near Clark, Colorado, July 22, 2011
On July 22, 2011 at about 1:15 pm local time, a Cameron Balloons US AX10, registered N2012J, was involved in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Clark, Colorado. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries; 6 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 22, 2011 · about 1:15 pm local time
- Place
- Clark, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries; 6 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cameron Balloons US AX10 210
- Registration
- N2012J · no longer on the register · serial 6516
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Following a sightseeing flight, the pilot landed a hot air balloon in approximately 15 knots of wind. During the initial touchdown, the balloon bounced and skipped several times before landing firmly, tipping the basket on its side. Of the eight passengers on board, one sustained a broken ankle and two passengers sustained minor injuries. 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
- Other weather encounter during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Attain/maintain not possible
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › High wind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 2,610 hours in all; 2,200 in this make and model; 2,575 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 31, 2011
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 220.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 13, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 4,189 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Wild West Balloon Adventures INC
The flight
- Departed from: Clark CO at 1:00 pm
- Destination: Clark CO
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 | 5 |
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.