Cameron BIEU/V-65 accident near Lewiston, New York, August 26, 1993
On August 26, 1993 at about 12:20 pm local time, a Cameron BIEU/V-65 (balloon), registered N75192, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lewiston, New York. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was 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 adequate clearance, which resulted in an inflight collision with a light pole.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 26, 1993 · about 12:20 pm local time
- Place
- Lewiston, New York · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cameron BIEU/V-65
- Registration
- N75192 · registry record · serial 5841
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT AND PASSENGER DEPARTED IN A HOT AIR BALLOON, FROM CANADA, TO CROSS THE NIAGARA FALLS GORGE INTO THE UNITED STATES (U.S.). AFTER CROSSING INTO U.S. AIRSPACE, THE PILOTED STATED THAT THE WINDS BECAME VARIABLE IN DIRECTION AND SPEED. THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTY IN MANEUVERING AWAY FROM THE GORGE. SEVERAL LANDINGS WERE ABORTED. DURING THE LAST GO AROUND, WHEN THE BALLOON BURNER WAS TURNED ON TO ESTABLISH A CLIMB, THE BALLOON CONTINUED TO DESCEND. DURING THE DESCENT THE BALLOON STRUCK AND BROKE A LAMP STANCHION. AS THE LAMP POST FELL IT BROKE THE PASSENGER'S ARM. THE BALLOON LANDED HARD, UNDAMAGED.
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
- Flight time: 440 hours in all; 256 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 400 as pilot in command; 10 on instruments
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 16 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 20, 1993; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,300 lb
- Seats: 0
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Niagra Falls at 11:20 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 12:55 pm from IAG, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
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.