Accident · 2025-11-24
What the record says
- Event date
- 2025-11-24
- 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 landing in increased wind, and the pilot’s inability to maintain the proper descent rate, which resulted in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB case WPR26LA052Flight 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 | None | 48 | Class 2 (2025-05-13) | 1,073.3 total · 86 in this make/model · 1,073.3 as PIC · 53.3 last 90 days |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.