Firefly Balloons 2010 INC FIREFLY 12B-010 accident near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, April 20, 2021
On April 20, 2021 at about 2:30 pm local time, a 2012 Firefly Balloons 2010 INC FIREFLY 12B-010, registered N3016R, was involved in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Pagosa Springs, Colorado. It was an other work-use 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 failure to properly control the balloon during a steep approach that resulted in a hard landing and a serious passenger injury.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 20, 2021 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Pagosa Springs, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 10 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Firefly Balloons 2010 INC FIREFLY 12B-010, built 2012
- Registration
- N3016R · registry record · serial F12B-010
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he and 10 passengers were landing following a 30 minute flight. The balloon had to clear powerlines along a road to land in a field and the pilot had to land the balloon before it encountered trees and a row of bushes at the end of the field. The pilot briefed the passengers on the landing position and procedures and descended to the field. He landed the balloon firm so that it would not move closer to the trees and bushes. The pilot reported that immediately after landing, one of the passengers complained that her wrist was sore. During a medical examination after the accident, it was determined that she sustained a fractured wrist.
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
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent rate › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 416.7 hours in all; 356.7 in this make and model; 32 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 376 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 581.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 10, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 3,940 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 41°F (5°C), dew point 12°F (-11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 am from KPSO, 2 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KPSO 201455Z AUTO 12003KT 10SM CLR 05/M11 A3003 RMK AO2 T00511113=
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 NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.