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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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November 11, 1983 · Balloon Works Firefly 7 · N2416H

Monte Vista, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 11, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Monte Vista, CO
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 7
Tail Number
N2416H
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
DEN84LA043

THE PLT WAS PARTICIPATING IN A 'HARE & HOUNDS' BALLOON CONTEST. THE AIRCREWS WERE WX BRIEFED AT THE LAUNCH SITE BEFORE THE EVENT. REPORTEDLY, THERE WAS A FRONT APPROACHING BUT IT WAS NOT EXPECTED TO MOVE THRU UNTIL ABOUT 2 TO 3 HRS AFTER THE CONTEST. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE WINDS WERE BLOWING AT 3 TO 5 MPH WHEN HE TOOK OFF. ABOUT 15 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, HE OBSERVED THAT THE WIND ON THE GROUND APPEARED TO BE INCREASING & ELECTED TO LAND IN A PLOWED FIELD. HE PLANNED TO LAND FROM A RAPID DESCENT TO AVOID BEING DRAGGED BY THE WINDS. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING, HE DIDN'T BEND HIS LEGS & SUBSEQUENTLY BROKE HIS RIGHT LEG ABOVE THE ANKLE DURING TOUCHDOWN. HE REPORTED THE WINDS WERE GUSTING TO 25 KTS.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS PARTICIPATING IN A 'HARE & HOUNDS' BALLOON CONTEST. THE AIRCREWS WERE WX BRIEFED AT THE LAUNCH SITE BEFORE THE EVENT. REPORTEDLY, THERE WAS A FRONT APPROACHING BUT IT WAS NOT EXPECTED TO MOVE THRU UNTIL ABOUT 2 TO 3 HRS AFTER THE CONTEST. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE WINDS WERE BLOWING AT 3 TO 5 MPH WHEN HE TOOK OFF. ABOUT 15 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, HE OBSERVED THAT THE WIND ON THE GROUND APPEARED TO BE INCREASING & ELECTED TO LAND IN A PLOWED FIELD. HE PLANNED TO LAND FROM A RAPID DESCENT TO AVOID BEING DRAGGED BY THE WINDS. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING, HE DIDN'T BEND HIS LEGS & SUBSEQUENTLY BROKE HIS RIGHT LEG ABOVE THE ANKLE DURING TOUCHDOWN. HE REPORTED THE WINDS WERE GUSTING TO 25 KTS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 7
Tail NumberN2416H
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 29 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 19 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data