Accident · 2025-09-15
What the record says
- Event date
- 2025-09-15
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- Serious injury
- Aircraft
- CAMERON BALLOONS US A-225 (N980VA)
- Operating rule
- Part 91
- Operator
- RAINBOW RYDERS INC Operator named in NTSB report
- Operated by (per NTSB report)
- Rainbow Ryders INC
Probable cause
The balloon pilot’s improper landing, which resulted in serious injury to a passenger. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to brief the proper landing procedure.
Source: NTSB case WPR25LA284Flight crew
Certification and experience as recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event. The NTSB records these facts about the crew's flying history; GroundCheck shows them as filed, without names or identities.
| Role | Certificate | Instrument rating | Age | Medical | Flight hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot pilot flying | Commercial / Private | None | 55 | Class 2 (2025-08-12) | 1,309 total · 32 in this make/model · 1,275 as PIC · 34 last 90 days |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.