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NTSB Report
August 6, 1989 · Balloon Works Firefly 8B · N74191
Louisville, CO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Louisville, CO
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 8B
Tail Number
N74191
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
DEN89LA185
THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS CALM WHEN HE LAUNCHED BUT BECAME STRONG AND GUSTY DURING THE ONE HR FLT. HE SAID HE LANDED ON THE TOP OF A MESA WITH THE WIND ESTIMATED TO BE 25 KTS, WITH GUSTS TO 35 KTS. DURING THE LANDING THE PASSENGERS WERE JOSTLED AROUND AND ONE PASSENGER RECEIVED A SERIOUS INJURY.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY EVALUATE THE WEATHER PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. HIGH WINDS DEVELOPED DURING THE BALLOON FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN A ROUGH LANDING.
Full Narrative
THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS CALM WHEN HE LAUNCHED BUT BECAME STRONG AND GUSTY DURING THE ONE HR FLT. HE SAID HE LANDED ON THE TOP OF A MESA WITH THE WIND ESTIMATED TO BE 25 KTS, WITH GUSTS TO 35 KTS. DURING THE LANDING THE PASSENGERS WERE JOSTLED AROUND AND ONE PASSENGER RECEIVED A SERIOUS INJURY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:55 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 8B
Tail NumberN74191
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total4
Crew 1Age 34 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 25 kt, gusting 35 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO