Cameron Balloons US Z-105 accident near Homestead, Florida, March 16, 2013
On March 16, 2013 at about 2:00 pm local time, a Cameron Balloons US Z-105, registered N4019A, suffered minor damage in an accident during approach near Homestead, Florida (Homestead General airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to avoid obstructions during the approach to land, which resulted in a collision with power lines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 16, 2013 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Homestead, Florida · Homestead General · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cameron Balloons US Z-105 · all Z-105s on the register
- Registration
- N4019A · registry record · serial 6473
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, the sightseeing flight was at an altitude of about 1,000 feet above ground level. However, the passengers said that during the last mile of the flight, the basket brushed the tree tops, and impacted a power line. An eyewitness’s photograph showed the balloon at a low altitude over a nearby farm field. The pilot stated that he was aware of and knew where the power lines were and both passengers stated that the ground crew warned him of the approaching power lines over the radio. The pilot reported that the balloon encountered a downdraft that resulted in the balloon's basket contacting the power line. A review of several nearby recorded weather observations did not reveal any indication of any abrupt wind changes or formation of any adverse weather conditions. A high-resolution weather observation at the intended landing destination, which was about 1 mile from the accident site indicated a light and variable wind was present. Based on this recorded information, at the time of the accident, it is unlikely that a downdraft or other adverse weather conditions existed at or around the time of the accident. It is probable that the pilot, who was aware of the power lines, did not maintain adequate vigilance and failed to recognize the impending collision with the power lines.
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
- Altitude deviation during approach
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Contributed to outcome
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 386 hours in all; 138 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 274 as pilot in command; 2 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 12, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 210 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, January 30, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 2,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Aarons Balloon CO LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Redland FL at 12:30 pm
- Destination: X51 Homestead FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 1:58 pm from X51, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA13LA169.