Cameron Balloons Z-90 accident near Sellersburg, Indiana, June 7, 2012
On June 7, 2012, a Cameron Balloons Z-90, registered N401DJ, suffered minor damage in an accident during maneuvering near Sellersburg, Indiana. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The balloon pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 7, 2012
- Place
- Sellersburg, Indiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cameron Balloons Z-90 · all Z-90s on the register
- Registration
- N401DJ · registry record · serial 6291
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Passengers in the balloon reported that the balloon initially landed in an unmowed field that wasn't easily accessible by ground vehicles. They reported that the pilot decided to move the balloon to an adjacent field. The passengers noted that there was a fence and power lines that had to be crossed to get to the field. There were 3 lines on the power line poles, 2 of which were thinner and not as visible. The passengers reported that the balloon was traveling into the setting sun and that they believed the pilot only saw the lower, more visible power line. The passengers reported that when the balloon struck the power line a large arc ensued, and the pilot was thrown rearward into one of the passengers. The pilot was unconscious, and the passengers were able to deflate the balloon with verbal assistance from the ground crew. The pilot reported that he has no memory of the accident after the initial landing. Postaccident inspection of the balloon revealed no preimpact defects and minor damage.
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
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 1,396 hours in all; 1,350 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 2, 2012
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: Memphis IN
- Destination: Sellersburg IN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
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.