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NTSB Report
November 19, 1989 · Balloon Works Firefly 7 · N4070W
Las Vegas, NV
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 19, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Las Vegas, NV
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 7
Tail Number
N4070W
Operator
Richard K Tanner
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA90LA032
DURING A PRACTICE MANEUVER FOR A RIBBON RACE, BOTH BALLOONS ASCENDED SIMULTANEOUSLY TO AN ALTITUDE OF 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND TO A POSITION 60 FEET APART. THE RAVEN RX7, N5710Y, SUDDENLY ROSE, AND THE BASKET COLLIDED WITH THE UPPER ENVELOPE OF THE FIREFLY 7, N4070W, RESULTING IN A 10 FT RIP. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT OF THE RAVEN RX7, N5710Y, FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CONTROL TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH THE FIREFLY 7, N4070W, AND BOTH PILOTS DID NOT MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM EACH OTHER DURING THE PRACTICE MANEUVER.
Full Narrative
DURING A PRACTICE MANEUVER FOR A RIBBON RACE, BOTH BALLOONS ASCENDED SIMULTANEOUSLY TO AN ALTITUDE OF 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND TO A POSITION 60 FEET APART. THE RAVEN RX7, N5710Y, SUDDENLY ROSE, AND THE BASKET COLLIDED WITH THE UPPER ENVELOPE OF THE FIREFLY 7, N4070W, RESULTING IN A 10 FT RIP. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 7
Tail NumberN4070W
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRichard K Tanner
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown | Unknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 35 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT