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NTSB Report

October 6, 1997 · Balloon Works Firefly 8-24 Firefly 8 · N74056

Albuquerque, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 6, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 8-24 Firefly 8
Tail Number
N74056
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
FTW98LA008

According to the pilot, the 'approach to landing was normal.' He stated that the balloon 'touched down, bounced once, and came to a normal upright stop.' The injured passenger (the pilot's wife) reported to the Investigator-In-Charge (IIC) that 'she had her arm around an upright and was holding on very hard.' She stated to the IIC that she believed that the 'landing was not a difficult landing,' but she was having 'some difficulty with my [her] knees' and did not have them bent as the pilot had instructed. Subsequently, during the landing sequence, she fractured her arm.

NTSB Probable Cause

the passenger's failure to follow procedures/directives for the landing.

Full Narrative

On October 6, 1997, approximately 0800 mountain daylight time, a Balloon Works Firefly 8-24 balloon, N74056, was not damaged during a normal landing near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The pilot and one of his passengers were not injured; however, the second passenger received serious injuries. The balloon was being operated by the owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight which originated from Albuquerque, New Mexico, approximately 30 minutes before the accident. A flight plan had not been filed. According to the pilot, the "approach to landing was normal." He stated that the balloon "touched down, bounced once, and came to a normal upright stop." The injured passenger (the pilot's wife) reported to the Investigator-In-Charge (IIC) that "she had her arm around an upright and was holding on very hard." She stated that she believed that the "landing was not a difficult landing," but she was having "some difficulty with my [her] knees" and did not have them bent as the pilot had instructed. Subsequently, during the landing sequence, she fractured her arm.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 8-24 Firefly 8
Tail NumberN74056
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats0

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 64 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data