# Accident 20040617011029A: Balwks FIREFLY9, Aurora, OR, June 17, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 17, 2004, 07:15 local time
- Place: Aurora, OR
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.2667° N, 122.8167° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2667&lon=-122.8167&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3097R, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3097R-2025-11-12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Balloon Works FIREFLY 9 (registry code 1050120, https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-9) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALWKS FIREFLY9
- People aboard: 5
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 716 total, 716 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA04CA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04CA109) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040617011029A

## Narrative

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

(-23) LIGHTER-THAN-AIR FREE BALLOON WITH A PILOT AND SIX PASSENGERS EXPERIENCED A HARDER THAN NORMAL LANDING AFTER ENCOUNTERING STRONG GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS. THE PILOT RECEIVED A BROKEN ANKLE AND ONE PASSENGER EXPERIENCED CRACKED RIBS. NO DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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 SEA04CA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04CA109), Jun 17, 2004: Balloon Works Fire Fly 9 (N3097R), Aurora, OR, minor damage. Probable cause: Pilot's failure to compensate for wind conditions. Wind was a contributing 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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