Balloon Works FIREFLY-7 accident near Albuquerque, NM
On October 9, 1993, a Balloon Works FIREFLY-7 (balloon) was involved in an accident near Albuquerque, NM. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 9, 1993
- Place
- Albuquerque, NM
- Aircraft
- Balloon Works FIREFLY-7 · Balloon
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.180°N, 106.590°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X13552
Official records · FTW94FA008
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 9, 1993, approximately 0928 mountain daylight time, N4058A, a Balloon Works Firefly 7, was destroyed when it collided with power lines and terrain while participating in the annual Albuquerque international Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The following is based on 15 written witness statements that are attached to this report. The weather was sunny and clear, but surface winds had increased to 10 to 20 knots during the course of the morning flights. One pilot-witness encountered a wind shear that caused him to land hard about 30 minutes before the accident. Another pilot-witness decided not to fly because of the wind, and assisted other pilots with their landings. He said there had been "lots of rough landings" that morning. N4058A flew in a southerly direction at an estimated speed of 4 to 8 knots. It was above the power lines but descended rapidly, "as if being pushed from above." The envelope was variously described as being "distorted," "pancaked," and "deflating rapidly." One witness wrote, "The gondola was turning and swinging as though it was caught up in the wind. The envelope seemed to fill with air and deflate again." The pilot activated the propane burner in an attempt to ascend. Witnesses reported seeing a flash, hearing a "pop," and observing the basket fall to the ground and the envelope drift away. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Seven of the 18 stainless steel suspe
Probable cause
THE P[ILOT'S IMPROPER DECISION TO ATTEMPT CONTINUED FLIGHT UNDER THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS. THE ADVERSE WIND WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.
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Browse: New Mexico · Balloon Works aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
