Cameron A-400 accident near Yountville, California, April 1, 2019
On April 1, 2019 at about 2:57 pm local time, a 2017 Cameron A-400 (balloon), registered N6954Y, was involved in an accident during enroute near Yountville, California. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries; 19 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inability to maintain obstacle clearance after the balloon’s encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in a collision with power lines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 1, 2019 · about 2:57 pm local time
- Place
- Yountville, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries; 19 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cameron A-400 No Series, built 2017
- Registration
- N6954Y · registry record · serial 6826
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During cruise flight, the balloon encountered a sudden downdraft. The pilot arrested the descent to level flight, but not in time to prevent the bottom of the basket from contacting nearby power lines. The pilot subsequently landed the balloon without further incident. One passenger sustained serious injuries. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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 enroute
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during enroute
- Miscellaneous/other during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Downdraft › Effect on operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
Passenger
- Seat: none
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: Yountville CA at 2:30 pm
- Destination: Yountville CA
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 2:54 pm from KAPC, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 | 18 |
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.