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NTSB Report
July 4, 1988 · Balloon Works Firefly 8B · N7420S
Fort Collins, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 8B
Tail Number
N7420S
Operator
W Sebastian &
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN88LA152
THIS BALLOON FLT WAS PART OF A RALLY. THE FLT DEPARTED FROM A STADIUM, CLIMBED TO 500' AND THEN MADE A CONTROLLED DESCENT AND LANDING. AFTER THE NEXT TAKEOFF AND CLIMB TO ABOUT 125' WHEN THE BURNER WAS TURNED OFF THE PLT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS NOT FLOWING TO THE PLT LIGHT. WHILE ATTEMPTING CORRECTIVE ACTION THE BALLOON COOLED AND BEGAN TO DESCEND. THE BALLOON WAS DRIFTING TOWARD POWERLINES AND UPON REACHING 50 TO 75' AGL, THE PLT DECIDED TO OPEN THE VENT FULL AND MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. DURING THE LANDING THE BALLOON DRAPED OVER A FENCE AND THE PASSENGER SUFFERED A BROKEN ANKLE. THE PILOT STATED THAT IT IS LIKELY SHE INADVERTENTLY BUMPED THE PILOT LIGHT VALVE WHILE WORKING THE MAIN FUEL VALVE. SHE REPORTED THAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT BOTH THE MAIN AND PILOT FUEL SYSTEMS WERE CHECKED AND FOUND OK.
Full Narrative
THIS BALLOON FLT WAS PART OF A RALLY. THE FLT DEPARTED FROM A STADIUM, CLIMBED TO 500' AND THEN MADE A CONTROLLED DESCENT AND LANDING. AFTER THE NEXT TAKEOFF AND CLIMB TO ABOUT 125' WHEN THE BURNER WAS TURNED OFF THE PLT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS NOT FLOWING TO THE PLT LIGHT. WHILE ATTEMPTING CORRECTIVE ACTION THE BALLOON COOLED AND BEGAN TO DESCEND. THE BALLOON WAS DRIFTING TOWARD POWERLINES AND UPON REACHING 50 TO 75' AGL, THE PLT DECIDED TO OPEN THE VENT FULL AND MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. DURING THE LANDING THE BALLOON DRAPED OVER A FENCE AND THE PASSENGER SUFFERED A BROKEN ANKLE. THE PILOT STATED THAT IT IS LIKELY SHE INADVERTENTLY BUMPED THE PILOT LIGHT VALVE WHILE WORKING THE MAIN FUEL VALVE. SHE REPORTED THAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT BOTH THE MAIN AND PILOT FUEL SYSTEMS WERE CHECKED AND FOUND OK.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:40 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 8B
Tail NumberN7420S
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
OperatorW Sebastian &
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown · UNKNOWN · Unknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 4 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO