# Accident 19980327013619A: Balwks FIREFLY8, Elk Garden, VA, March 27, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 27, 1998, 17:50 local time
- Place: Elk Garden, VA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Roll-Out (Fixed Wing)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.8896° N, 82.0705° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8896&lon=-82.0705&mi=10
- Aircraft: N31226, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31226) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B-15 (registry code 1050111, https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8b-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALWKS FIREFLY8
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 512 total, 103 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC98LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA085) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980327013619A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON MARCH 27, 1998, ABOUT 1750 EASTERN STANDARD TIME, N31226, A BALLOON WORKS, FIREFLY-8B-15, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A LANIDNG IN ELK GARDEN , VIRGINA. THE CERTIFICATED COMMERICAL PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. VISUAL METEOROLIGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FOR THE LOCAL FLIGHT, WHICH DEPARTED FROM ABINGDON, VIRGINIA, ABOUT 1600. NO FLIGHT PLAN HAD BEEN FILED FOR THE FLIGHT WHICH WAS CONDUCTED UNDER 14 CFR PART 91. IN THE NTSB PILOT/OPERATOR AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE OBTIANED A WEATHER BRIEFING FROM THE LEESBURG AURTOMATED FLIGHT SERVICE STATION (AFSS). AFTER TAKEOFF, HE ENCOUNTERED GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS AND ATTEMPTED A LANDING IN A FIELD. ALTHOUGH HE VENTED THE ENVELOPE UPON TOUCHDOWN. THE WIND CONTINUED AGAINST THE ENVELOPE AND THE BASKET TIPPED. WHILE HOLDING THE VENT LINE, THE BASKET WAS DRAGGED ON ITS SIDE, AND THE PILOT WAS STRUCK IN THE HEAD BY A ROCK AND LOST HIS GRIP ON THE VENT LINE. THE VENT CLOSED, AND THE PILOT HAD TO GRAB THE VENT LINE AGAIN, AND THE BASKET CAME TO REST. ACCORDING TO AN INSPECTOR FROM THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA), THE BASKET TOUCHED THE GROUND IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION; HOWEVER, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO DEFLATE THE ENVELOPE PRIOR TO BEING DRAGGED ACROSS THE FIELD FOR 438 FEET. THE BALLOON AND BASKET CAME TO REST IN TREES AND A BARB WIRE FENCE. THE TAPE OF THE WEATHER BRIEFING WAS NOT AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THE AREA FORECAST AND WEATHER FORECASTS FOR BRISTOL, TENNESSEE, AND BLUEFIELD, WEST VIRGINIA, WERE REVIEWED. ACCORDING TO FORECASTS, MODERATE TURBULENCE WAS EXPECTED BELOW 9000 FEET DUE TO A SOUTHWESTERLY LOW LEVEL FLOW ACCROSS THE AREA. THE CONDITIONS WERE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE BEYOND 2300. BLUEFIELD, WEST VIRGINA, WAS LOCATED 43 NAUTICAL MILES FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE ON A HEADING OF 060 DEGREES. THE TERMINAL FORECAST FOR BLUEFIELD CALLED FOR WINDS FROM 250 DEGRESS AT 10 KNOTS, WITH GUSTS TO 18 KNOTS. BRISTOL, TENNESSEE, WAS LOCATED 34 NAUTICAL MILES FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE ON A HEAD OF 220 DEGREES. THE TERMINAL FORECAST FOR BRISTOL CALLED FOR WINDS FROM 200 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS, WITH GUSTS TO 18 KNOTS. (-23) SEE NARRATIVE #NYC98LA085

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC98LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA085), Mar 27, 1998: Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15 (N31226), Elk Garden, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper weather evaluation. The gusty wind condition was a related factor.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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