Lindstrand 80E accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico, October 12, 2024
On October 12, 2024 at about 2:15 pm local time, a 2022 Lindstrand 80E (balloon), registered N80029, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of control during landing, which resulted in the balloon’s envelope contacting powerlines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 12, 2024 · about 2:15 pm local time
- Place
- Albuquerque, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Lindstrand 80E, built 2022
- Registration
- N80029 · registry record · serial 5761
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was attempting to land a hot air balloon in a field, when the wind shifted. Upon touchdown, one of the passengers exited without the pilot’s instruction to do so. As a result of the passenger exiting, the balloon suddenly climbed about 15-20 ft. Subsequently, as the balloon was descending to the ground, the pilot vented out the remaining air from the envelope, which then contacted the ground and a powerline. A spark was observed at the powerline and a small fire ensued, which resulted in substantial damage to the envelope. The pilot reported that the balloon had no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further stated that a preflight passenger briefing was conducted prior to the flight, which directed passengers to remain in the basket until the pilot gives permission to exit.
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
- Landing area overshoot during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Sudden wind shift › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 283.2 hours in all; 42 in this make and model
- Last flight review: August 13, 2023
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
Passenger
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 26, 2024; 41 hours since
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.37 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 am from KAEG, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KAEG 121453Z 02004KT 10SM CLR 18/M06 A3037
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Accident site, envelope damage.
Photograph 2 – Accident site, envelope damage.
Photograph 3 – Accident site, envelope damage.The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on April 8, 2025. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo Array-courtesy of the FAA | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N80029 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.