Cameron Balloons U S A-315 accident near Phoenix, Arizona, December 20, 2021
On December 20, 2021 at about 3:50 pm local time, a 2018 Cameron Balloons U S A-315, registered N317RR, was involved in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Phoenix, Arizona. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 15 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inability to maintain balloon control during a high wind landing, which resulted in a serious passenger injury.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 20, 2021 · about 3:50 pm local time
- Place
- Phoenix, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 15 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cameron Balloons U S A-315, built 2018 · all A-315s on the register
- Registration
- N317RR · registry record · serial 6802
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the balloon reported that, while maneuvering to land, he was informed via radio that the wind speed had increased during the flight from about 4 mph to about 14 mph. While on final approach to land, he descended the balloon to about 6 ft above the surface to mitigate surface wind and to level off and fly to the clearing where the balloon landed. After touchdown, the basket was drug on the ground about 20 ft until the balloon came to a complete stop and the envelope deflated. The balloon was not damaged; however, a passenger was seriously injured with a fractured ankle. 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
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Miscellaneous/other during approach
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › High wind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 1,487 hours in all; 131 in this make and model; 89.8 in the last 90 days; 31 in the last 30 days; 1,430 as pilot in command; 15 on instruments
- Last flight review: November 12, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 609.9 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, December 7, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 5,800 lb
- Seats: 18
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Na (none); 0 hours total
- Operator: Rainbow Ryders INC
The flight
- Departed from: Phoenix AZ at 2:36 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observation at 3:00 am from KDVT, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KDVT 201553Z 01003KT 10SM CLR 10/M02 A3021 RMK AO2 SLP222 T01001017
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 14 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on March 18, 2022. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | 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.