Cameron Balloons Z-105 accident near Rio Rancho, New Mexico, October 9, 2007
On October 9, 2007 at about 2:30 pm local time, a Cameron Balloons Z-105, registered N1024B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rio Rancho, New Mexico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control due to high winds resulting in the aircraft coming in contact with two houses.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 9, 2007 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Rio Rancho, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cameron Balloons Z-105
- Registration
- N1024B · registry record · serial 6371
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was attempting to land in a large, open field when a gust of wind pushed the balloon down and sideways towards a house. The pilot activated both burners in an attempt to avoid hitting it. The balloon struck the house's parapet wall then the ground, ejecting two passengers. The balloon lifted back into the air, due to the weight loss. The pilot opened the emergency vent and the balloon hit the ground again, ejecting a third passenger. The winds were gusting to 35 mph or greater. The balloon traveled across a street and struck a second house, damaging its swamp cooler. The balloon came to rest on its side in the yard of the second house.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 50 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 25 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: None
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 123 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 850 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Albuquerque NM at 1:15 pm
- Destination: NONE
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.38 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from ABQ, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 | 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.
Other NTSB records under N1024B the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.