# NTSB ANC85LA140: Balloon Works Firefly 8, N7404X, Anchorage, AK, August 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1985, 23:05 local (Aug 1, 1985, 07:05 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.219722, -149.849533 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2197&lon=-149.8495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4533
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4533/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA140

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE THE PLT WAS APPROACHING A FIELD TO LAND, THE WIND SHIFTED & GUSTED, BLOWING THE BALLOON TOWARD A LIGHT STANDARD. THE ENVELOPE GRAZED THE STANDARD, RIPPING THE MATERIAL NEAR THE TOP OF THE BALLOON. THE BALLOON THEN LANDED IN THE FIELD. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 300 DEG AT 3 GUSTING 10 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7404X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7404X-2013-11-07), registration cancelled 2013-11-07, S/N F8B-007, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 8
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8b) (registry code 1050110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F8B-007
- Airframe hours: 465
- Engines: none BURNER 671 unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald E. Sampson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 6, 1984, 26 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 306 total, 306 in this make and model, 306 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 3 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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.

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