# NTSB investigations: Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B-15

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR22LA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA368.md): Firefly Balloons Firefly 8B-15 · Las Cruces, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 4, 2022 · N7067F · No damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the balloon’s approach to landing, which resulted in a hard landing and serious passenger injury.
- [NTSB ERA17LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA243.md): Balloon Works Firefly 8B 15 · Murfreesboro, TN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 15, 2017 · N3282P · No damage
  > The passenger's failure to let go of the balloon's gondola when the balloon began to ascend. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the balloon after landing, which resulted in an inadvertent takeoff.
- [NTSB GAA16LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16LA172.md): Balloon Works FIREFLY8B · Rock Hill, SC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 12, 2016 · N3180S · No damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate compensation for wind, which resulted in the balloon landing hard and a passenger sustaining a serious injury.
- [NTSB CEN13CA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA278.md): Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Anthony, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 11, 2013 · N3171L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to monitor the balloon's altitude, which resulted in the balloon impacting an airport rotating beacon tower.
- [NTSB DFW05CA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA002.md): Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Piedmont, OK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 9, 2004 · N2563W · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with power lines while landing. Contributing factors were the reduced visibility, fog, and low cloud ceiling.
- [NTSB DEN01LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA158.md): Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Colo. Springs, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 2001 · N2575P · Minor damage
  > the passenger's failure to follow instructions given to brace for a high wind landing, and the pilot's failure to adequately monitor the passenger's actions. A contributing factor was the thermal lift.
- [NTSB FTW01LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA154.md): Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Celina, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2001 · N72524 · No damage
  > the unsuitable landing area selected by the pilot-in-command which resulted in a hard landing. A contributing factor was the uneven/rough terrain.
- [NTSB DEN99LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA023.md): Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 5, 1998 · N3290G · No damage
  > The passenger not following high wind landing procedures/directives which were given to her by the pilot. A factor was the unforecasted high wind condition.
- [NTSB NYC98LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA085.md): Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Elk Garden, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 1998 · N31226 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's improper weather evaluation. The gusty wind condition was a related factor.
- [NTSB FTW96LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA212.md): Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Ft. Lupton, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 14, 1996 · N2577G · No damage
  > the pasenger's failure to follow the instructions given by the pilot during a briefing.

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1050111'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=1050111

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