| Crash location | 35.323056°N, 106.561944°W |
| Nearest city | Bernalillo, NM
35.300040°N, 106.551137°W 1.7 miles away |
| Tail number | N681SJ |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 15 Feb 2015 |
| Aircraft type | Cameron Z90 - No Series |
| Additional details: | None |
The pilot determined that the wind was faster than anticipated at the landing location. He maneuvered the balloon for a landing in an open field, the gondola landed hard, and fell onto its side. One passenger sustained a broken leg and the balloon sustained no damage.
The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon prior to the flight that would have precluded normal operation of the balloon.
The pilot's failure to maintain the descent rate, resulting in abnormal runway/ground contact.