Balony Kubicek Spol Sro BB100Z accident near Elk Grove, California, April 27, 2026
On April 27, 2026 at about 7:15 pm local time, a 2016 Balony Kubicek Spol Sro BB100Z (balloon), registered N355WC, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Elk Grove, California (N/A airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s delayed decision to deflate the balloon during a static display in windy conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with a building. Contributing to the accident was the proximity of the balloon from structures during a static display.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 27, 2026 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Elk Grove, California · N/A · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Balony Kubicek Spol Sro BB100Z, built 2016 · all BB100Zs on the register
- Registration
- N355WC · registry record · serial 1293
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the balloon reported that the balloon was secured to a three-point mooring system that was attached to three vehicles and 2,000 lbs of ballast was added to the basket for a static display. The wind pattern changed, which shifted most of the weight to one of the tether anchor lines. During a subsequent repositioning maneuver to increase the distance from the adjacent building for a precautionary deflation, the tether line failed and the balloon shifted towards the building. The pilot who was onboard during the static display, immediately applied burner to climb and clear the approaching building. After the balloon had ascended a second tether line failed under tension which allowed the balloon to clear the building. Photos provided by the pilot show the folded envelope and 7 bundles of the balloon’s flying wires. Five of the individual flying wires had separated and frayed ends. A media video taken from ground level showed the balloon floating about 30 ft above the ground and attached to tether lines that were secured to a large truck and two construction vehicles. The video showed the balloon’s envelope canted slightly to one side before the balloon’s tether line separated. One second later, the ballon moved towards the building as the basket rocked back and forth. The basket then impacted trees and flew over a crowd of people before it collided with the building. The balloon’s basket was dragged along the side of the building as it was pulled by the envelope. The video showed that the basket’s burner support rods on one side of the basket were bent as the basket hung at a slant from the envelope after the balloon ascended over the building. During the pilot’s subsequent approach to a field, the balloon impacted powerlines.
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
- Collision during takeoff/land during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Sudden wind shift › Effect on equipment
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Parking/securing › Tie › down/mooring › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 8,525 hours in all; 1,050 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 8,510 as pilot in command; 150 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 19, 2026
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 19, 2023; 156 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 7,000 lb
- Seats: 16
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,700 ft; scat at 3,900 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 12:00 pm from KSAC, 10 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KSAC 271853Z 29004KT 10SM SCT039 BKN047 17/07 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP171 T01720072
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
Other NTSB records under N355WC the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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 WPR26LA170.