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NTSB Report
April 5, 1987 · Balloon Works Firefly 8-24 Firefly 8 · N3750D
Phoenix, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 5, 1987
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries), 4 uninjured
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 8-24 Firefly 8
Tail Number
N3750D
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
LAX87LA168
DURING A PLEASURE BALLOON RIDE, THE BALLOON LIFTED OFF IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION THEN SHIFTED TO A SOUTH EASTERLY DIRECTION. THE PLT FELT THAT THE BALLOONS RESPONSE TIME FOR ADEQUATE LIFT TOOK TOO LONG. THE BALLOON BEGAN DRIFTING TOWARD 50 TO 60 FT POWER LINES. THE PLT DECIDED AT APRX 50 FT AGL TO LAND THE BALLOON. THE PILOT PULLED THE TOP OUT OF THE BALLOON WHICH DESCENDED RAPIDLY COLLIDING WITH THE TERRAIN. THE BALLOON CAME TO REST APRX 100 FT FROM THE POWER LINES.
Full Narrative
DURING A PLEASURE BALLOON RIDE, THE BALLOON LIFTED OFF IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION THEN SHIFTED TO A SOUTH EASTERLY DIRECTION. THE PLT FELT THAT THE BALLOONS RESPONSE TIME FOR ADEQUATE LIFT TOOK TOO LONG. THE BALLOON BEGAN DRIFTING TOWARD 50 TO 60 FT POWER LINES. THE PLT DECIDED AT APRX 50 FT AGL TO LAND THE BALLOON. THE PILOT PULLED THE TOP OUT OF THE BALLOON WHICH DESCENDED RAPIDLY COLLIDING WITH THE TERRAIN. THE BALLOON CAME TO REST APRX 100 FT FROM THE POWER LINES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:40 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 8-24 Firefly 8
Tail NumberN3750D
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown · UNKNOWN · Unknown
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries), 4 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured4
Total7
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 4 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:50
Weather SourceWFAC