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NTSB Report

October 8, 1998 · Balloon Works FIREFLY-7 · N36609

Alberquerque, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 8, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Alberquerque, NM
Aircraft
Balloon Works FIREFLY-7
Tail Number
N36609
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
DEN99LA006

According to the pilot, he was preparing to land in a small field with power lines upwind and downwind. He had instructed the passengers, the pilot's mother and a balloon ground crew member, how to brace themselves for a 'cold fast landing.' The pilot stated, upon landing, that as soon as they contacted the ground, he heard one of his passengers 'scream in pain.' Attempting to stop the balloon with the top pulled out, the balloon swung forward 6-8 ft. where it touched down a second time. After deflation of the balloon, he and one of his passengers exited the balloon, the other passenger was unable to exit due to two broken legs.

NTSB Probable Cause

The passenger's failure to follow procedures/directives for a hard landing. A factor was the congested/confined landing area with power lines on both ends.

Full Narrative

On October 8, 1998, approximately 1000 mountain daylight time, a Balloon Works Firefly-7 balloon, N36609, was not damaged during a hard landing near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; however, a second passenger received serious injuries. The balloon was being operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight which originated from Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico, approximately 60 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, he was preparing to land in a small field with power lines upwind and downwind. He had instructed the passengers, the pilot's mother and a balloon ground crew member, how to brace themselves for a "cold fast landing." The pilot stated, upon landing, that as soon as they contacted the ground, he heard one of his passengers "scream in pain." Attempting to stop the balloon with the top pulled out, the balloon swung forward 6-8 ft. where it touched down a second time. After deflation of the balloon, he and one of his passengers exited the balloon, the other passenger was unable to exit due to two broken legs.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBalloon Works FIREFLY-7
Tail NumberN36609
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 36 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data