Cameron Balloons A-250 accident near Cave Creek, Arizona, February 9, 2005
On February 9, 2005 at about 11:45 pm local time, a Cameron Balloons A-250, registered N3037V, was involved in an accident near Cave Creek, Arizona (Deer Valley Airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate handling of the balloon during boarding resulting in a passenger falling and sustaining a serious injury.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 9, 2005 · about 11:45 pm local time
- Place
- Cave Creek, Arizona · Deer Valley Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cameron Balloons A-250
- Registration
- N3037V · no longer on the register · serial 6052
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A passenger fell while boarding the balloon, and broke her collarbone. Prior to the envelope's hot air inflation, the pilot had two passengers preboard the balloon due to one of the female passenger's physical limitations and speed of the surface wind. He estimated that the surface wind was 4-5 mph. As he started hot inflation of the balloon, the envelope started to stand upright. At that time, he instructed the third passenger to board. As she climbed into the basket, the side of the basket that she was on lifted slightly causing her to lose her balance and she fell into the basket. A medical examination revealed that she had a broken collarbone. The pilot stated that the balloon and heater had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 387.2 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, January 1, 2005; 10.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,000 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine:; 0 hours total
- Operator: Hot Air Expeditions
The flight
- Departed from: Cave Creek AZ at 11:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from DVT, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.
Other NTSB records under N3037V 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.