Thunder & Colt AX8 105S2 accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico, August 2, 2015
On August 2, 2015 at about 2:00 pm local time, a Thunder & Colt AX8 105S2 (balloon), registered N787TC, was involved in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot did not properly brace herself during the landing, which resulted in a broken ankle and leg.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 2, 2015 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Albuquerque, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Thunder & Colt AX8 105S2
- Registration
- N787TC · registry record · serial 2516USA
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that the balloon flight was normal with light and variable wind conditions. The pilot stated she informed the passenger that the basket may "hop" a couple of times during the landing and told him to brace himself. When the balloon basket touched the ground, the pilot's foot became wedged between the sidewall of the basket and one of the fuel tanks. The pilot lost her balance, her body shifted, and she felt her ankle fracture. She told the passenger to continue pulling the deflation line. The envelope deflated quickly and the basket laid down onto its side. There was no damage to the envelope or basket. The pilot suffered a broken ankle and leg.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Miscellaneous › (general) › (general) › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 21.1 hours in all; 16.3 in this make and model; 16.3 in the last 90 days; 14.1 in the last 30 days; 3.5 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2015
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: none
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: Albuquerque NM
- Destination: Albuquerque NM
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 1:52 pm from ABQ, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on September 2, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | New Mexico State Police Report | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.