Cameron A315 accident near Winters, California, November 14, 2016
On November 14, 2016 at about 4:50 pm local time, a 2014 Cameron A315 (balloon), registered N69520, was involved in an accident during standing near Winters, California (Yolo County airport). It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 14 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The passenger's improper egress from the balloon basket, which resulted in a serious injury.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 14, 2016 · about 4:50 pm local time
- Place
- Winters, California · Yolo County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 14 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cameron A315 NO SERIES, built 2014
- Registration
- N69520 · registry record · serial 6742
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of a balloon reported that while aloft he observed the wind increase to about 10 miles per hour, so he briefed his passengers on how to brace for a "high wind landing" and possible basket tip-over. The pilot further reported that he descended to about 3 feet above ground, and once over the target landing area he "shut off [the] fuel tanks and burners then pulled the smart vent (rapid deflation valve)." Subsequently, on touch down the basket bounced once and skidded about 15 to 20 yards before stopping with the basket tipping over on its side. The pilot reported that he secured the basket and while the passengers were exiting the basket, his ground crew informed him that a passenger had injured her ankle. According to the pilot, the injured passenger did not speak English as her first language and he was unsure if she braced appropriately for the landing or if she sustained the serious injury while exiting the basket. The pilot reported that another passenger informed him that the passenger sustained the injury while she was exiting the basket. The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Other weather encounter during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control on ground during standing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › (general) › Passenger
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › High wind › Effect on operation
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Knowledge › Reading/language comprehension › Passenger
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Communication (personnel) › Language/accent › Passenger
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 8,721 hours in all; 81 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 8,688 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 27, 2015
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 358.5 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 26, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 6,300 lb
- Seats: 17
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
- Operator: Napa Valley Balloons INC.
The flight
- Departed from: DWA Davis/Woodland/Winters CA at 3:00 pm
- Destination: DWA Davis/Woodland/Winters CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from KEDU, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 13 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on January 12, 2017. 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, 12 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) | PDF, 1 page | 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.