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July 27, 2006 · Firefly Balloons Galaxy 11B · N2190S

Albuquerque, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 27, 2006
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 7 uninjured
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Firefly Balloons Galaxy 11B
Tail Number
N2190S
Operator
David E Smith
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
DEN06CA108

The pilot reported that they had been aloft for about 45 minutes. The wind had shifted several times and he decided to land in an open field. There were power lines that bordered the field. The pilot ascended to clear the power lines but the wind shifted again and carried the balloon toward trees and the Rio Grande. The pilot vented the balloon "less than 30 feet above the ground and did a steep end landing in less than 3 knots. The balloon came down with low impact, bounced once, about 3 feet and came to a stop upright." Passengers, however, told an FAA inspector that the pilot attempted to slow the descent by activating one burner of a two-burner system. He tried lighting the burner with a striker, but it would not stay lit due to insufficient fuel. The balloon landed hard and bounced. One passenger, who was holding on to a strap, fractured her arm when she struck it with her head.

NTSB Probable Cause

fuel exhaustion, resulting in the pilot's inability to relight one of two burners, and resulting in a hard landing.

Full Narrative

On July 27, 2006, approximately 0800 mountain daylight time, a Firefly Balloons Galaxy 11B, N2190S, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained a hard landing in a field in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The balloon was not damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. One passenger received a serious injury, and the pilot reported a minor injury. Seven other passengers were not injured. The local flight originated at Rio Rancho, New Mexico, approximately 0655. The pilot reported they had been aloft for about 45 minutes. The wind had shifted several times and he decided to land in an open field. There were power lines that bordered the field. The pilot ascended to clear the power lines but the wind shifted again and carried the balloon toward trees and the Rio Grande. The pilot vented the balloon "less than 30 feet above the ground and did a steep end landing in less than 3 knots. The balloon came down with low impact, bounced once, about 3 feet and came to a stop upright." Passengers told an FAA inspector that the pilot attempted to slow the descent by activating one burner of a two-burner system. He tried lighting the burner with a striker, but it would not stay lit due to insufficient fuel. The balloon landed hard and bounced. One passenger, who was holding on to a strap, fractured her arm when she struck it with her head.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFirefly Balloons Galaxy 11B
Tail NumberN2190S
Aircraft CategoryBall
OperatorDavid E Smith
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 7 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured7
Total9
Crew 1Age 63 · None · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 63 F
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time13:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data