# NTSB ATL04LA094: Firefly F8B, N2200D, Eatonton, GA, April 7, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 7, 2004, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Eatonton, GA - Coordinates: 33.601943, -83.451667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6019&lon=-83.4517&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Atlanta FSDO-11 - NTSB case key (mKey): 59060 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59060/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA094 ## Probable cause The overload failure of the windline quick release tiedown eyebolt. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, standing - pre-flight - miscellaneous,bolt/nut/fastener/clamp/spring - fractured (cause) - miscellaneous,bolt/nut/fastener/clamp/spring - overload (cause) - miscellaneous,lighter-than-air craft/equipment - failure ## Analysis According to a witness during the inflation process of the balloon, a quick release tie down eyebolt that was attached to a windline broke. As the windline released it struck the pilot in the head. The quick release tie down eyebolt was installed on the tailgate of an automobile. The balloon skid across the grass and hit a tree. Examination of the balloon revealed that six wicker panels were broken. Further examination of the quick release tie down eyebolt revealed that the fracture features were typical of a recent bending overstress fracture. According to the balloon manufacture, the quick release tie down eyebolt that failed was an after-market item. ## Factual narrative On April 7, 2004 at 1815 eastern daylight time, a Firefly F8B, N2200D, registered to and operated by a commercial pilot, broke a quick release tie down eyebolt during inflation near Eatonton, Georgia. The intended personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot was fatally injured and the balloon sustained minor damage. The local flight was intended to depart Lake Oconee near Eatonton, Georgia, at 1820. According to a witness during the inflation process of the balloon one of the tie down eyebolts broke. The quick release tie down eyebolt was installed on the tailgate of automobile. The windline hit the commercial pilot in the head. The balloon skid across the grass and hit a tree. Examination of the balloon revealed that six wicker panels were broken. The fractured quick release tie down eyebolt was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory for further examination. The examination of the eyebolt revealed that the threaded portion of the eyebolt was fractured adjacent to one of the nuts. The fracture features were typical of a recent bending overstress fracture. The commercial pilot was airlifted to Putnam County Medical Center, and subsequently moved to Atlanta Medical Center on April 8, 2004. The commercial pilot expired on April 11, 2004. No autopsy or toxicological examinations were performed. The death certificate states the cause of death as "cerebral herniation due to cerebral edema, blunt head and neck injury." According to a representative from Firefly Balloons, the F8B is not equipped with the quick release tie down eyebolt system. The quick release tie down eyebolt is an after-market item. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2200D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2200D-2022-12-31), registration cancelled 2022-12-31, S/N F8-2008, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Firefly F8B - Registry model: [Firefly Balloons FIREFLY 8](https://openairdocs.org/model/firefly-balloons-firefly-8) (registry code 1050117) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Harry Dearing - Departed: Eatonton, GA - Destination: Eatonton, GA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; injuries: fatal ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC) - Wind: 210° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: MCN ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040407030319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040407030319A), Apr 7, 2004: Balwks FIREFLY8, Eatonton, GA, Minor damage, 1 fatal. (-23) Witness states that during inflation, a rope and an "I" bolt used to tie the balloon to a truck broke in a gust of wind. The rope was attached by a quick… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.