Cameron Balloons US O-120 accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico, June 26, 2021
On June 26, 2021 at about 1:07 pm local time, a 2013 Cameron Balloons US O-120, registered N158NM, was destroyed in an accident during approach near Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 5 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the pilot to maintain adequate clearance from power lines while maneuvering for landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of impairing, illicit drugs.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 26, 2021 · about 1:07 pm local time
- Place
- Albuquerque, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 5 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cameron Balloons US O-120, built 2013 · all O-120s on the register
- Registration
- N158NM · registry record · serial 6692
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was conducting a sightseeing flight, with four passengers on board the balloon. Near the conclusion of the flight, the pilot maneuvered the balloon to land in an open field across a major intersection. Power lines were orientated nearly perpendicular to the balloon’s flight path to the field. The power lines were hung between metal poles that were about 78 ft high. A review of surveillance video from a local business revealed that the balloon began a climb before the intersection, with the power lines across the road. Video then depicted the balloon descending into the power lines as it crossed about perpendicular to the wires. Shortly thereafter, the balloon contacted a high-tension power line, an arc appeared, and the basket separated from the envelope and subsequently impacted the road. A postaccident examination of the balloon revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Postmortem toxicology testing of specimens from the pilot was consistent with the recent use of cannabis (THC) and cocaine. The pilot’s cavity blood THC concentration was detected at 5.5 ng/mL, suggesting that usage was within the last few hours. Some impairing effects of THC would likely have been present that would have affected the pilot’s ability to successfully operate the balloon. Cocaine was detected in blood and urine at levels that suggested recent use. At the time of the accident, the impairing effects of the pilot’s use of THC and cocaine likely contributed to the accident.
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
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on equipment
- Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Illicit drug › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 1,748 hours in all; 287 in this make and model; 37 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days; 1,748 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 18, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: none
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 286.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 14, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: Abq NM
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 6:52 am from KABQ, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KABQ 261252Z 02011KT 10SM SCT150 19/06 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP096 T01940056
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
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 docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site 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 WPR21FA242.