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NTSB Report
October 5, 1987 · Balloon Works Firefly 7 · N36988
Albuquerque, NM
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 5, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (6 uninjured)
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 7
Tail Number
N36988
Operator
Reynolds Francis G
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN88LA010
TWO BALLOONS, A RALLY AND A FIREFLY, COLLIDED IN FLIGHT DURING THE ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA. THE PILOT OF THE FIREFLY WAS CLIMBING AT APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET PER MINUTE WHEN HIS ENVELOPE CONTACTED THE BASKET OF THE RALLY. THE PILOT OF THE RALLY STATED HE OBSERVED THE FIREFLY CLIMBING AT A 'VERY FAST RATE' AND HE ACTIVATED HIS BURNER IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID THE COLLISION. BOTH AIRCRAFT LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE FAA WAIVER FOR THE FIESTASTATED THAT CLIMBS WERE TO BE MADE AT A RATE NO GREATER THAN 200 FEET PER MINUTE.
Full Narrative
TWO BALLOONS, A RALLY AND A FIREFLY, COLLIDED IN FLIGHT DURING THE ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA. THE PILOT OF THE FIREFLY WAS CLIMBING AT APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET PER MINUTE WHEN HIS ENVELOPE CONTACTED THE BASKET OF THE RALLY. THE PILOT OF THE RALLY STATED HE OBSERVED THE FIREFLY CLIMBING AT A 'VERY FAST RATE' AND HE ACTIVATED HIS BURNER IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID THE COLLISION. BOTH AIRCRAFT LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE FAA WAIVER FOR THE FIESTASTATED THAT CLIMBS WERE TO BE MADE AT A RATE NO GREATER THAN 200 FEET PER MINUTE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 7
Tail NumberN36988
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
OperatorReynolds Francis G
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown · UNKNOWN · Unknown | Unknown · UNKNOWN · Unknown
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (6 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured6
Total6
Crew 1Age 41 · None
Crew 2Age 50 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 3 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO