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NTSB Report
October 4, 1988 · Balloon Works Firefly 7 · N3678E
Albuquerque, NM
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 4, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 7
Tail Number
N3678E
Operator
Stevenson Stanley E
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN89LA005
THE COMMERCIAL BALLOON PLT AND ONE PAX WERE PARTICIPATING IN A BALLOON FIESTA. THE ACFT TOOK OFF FROM ALBUQUERQUE, ON A LOCAL FLIGHT IN LIGHT WINDS. AT ALTITUDE, THE BALLOON ENCOUNTERED EASTERLY WINDS THAT CARRIED THE BALLOON SOUTHWEST OF ALBUQUERQUE, WHERE A LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED. PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, THE BALLOON BRUSHED A TREE AND THE PLT ADDED HEAT TO ATTEMPT TO CLIMB. THE BALLOON DID NOT RESPOND FAST ENOUGH AND IT STRUCK THE TERRAIN. THE PAX JUMPED FROM THE BASKET PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN. AT TOUCHDOWN, THE BALLOON BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR AND THE EASTERLY WIND PUSHED THE BALLOON INTO A WALL AND THROUGH THE PICTURE WINDOW OF A RESIDENCE. THE BALLOON CAME TO REST WITH THE ENVELOPE DRAPED OVER THE ROOF, AND THE BASKET INSIDE THE HOME.
Full Narrative
THE COMMERCIAL BALLOON PLT AND ONE PAX WERE PARTICIPATING IN A BALLOON FIESTA. THE ACFT TOOK OFF FROM ALBUQUERQUE, ON A LOCAL FLIGHT IN LIGHT WINDS. AT ALTITUDE, THE BALLOON ENCOUNTERED EASTERLY WINDS THAT CARRIED THE BALLOON SOUTHWEST OF ALBUQUERQUE, WHERE A LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED. PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, THE BALLOON BRUSHED A TREE AND THE PLT ADDED HEAT TO ATTEMPT TO CLIMB. THE BALLOON DID NOT RESPOND FAST ENOUGH AND IT STRUCK THE TERRAIN. THE PAX JUMPED FROM THE BASKET PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN. AT TOUCHDOWN, THE BALLOON BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR AND THE EASTERLY WIND PUSHED THE BALLOON INTO A WALL AND THROUGH THE PICTURE WINDOW OF A RESIDENCE. THE BALLOON CAME TO REST WITH THE ENVELOPE DRAPED OVER THE ROOF, AND THE BASKET INSIDE THE HOME.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:15 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 7
Tail NumberN3678E
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
OperatorStevenson Stanley E
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO