# NTSB ATL88FA142: Balloon Works AX-8B, N74070, Alpharetta, GA, April 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1988, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Alpharetta, GA
- Location: 34.0709° N, 84.2726° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alpharetta, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0709&lon=-84.2726&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7598/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA142

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - pole (contributing factor)
  - performance data - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: N74070 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS AX-8B
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: B8241
- Airframe hours: 290
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard S. Ogletree
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 10, 1987, 1 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 350 total, 13 in this make and model, 192 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19880414013149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880414013149A), Apr 14, 1988: Balwks FIREFLY6, Alpharetta, GA, Substantial damage. Balloon drifted on liftoff,hit light poles. Basket fell into fence upside down. Gross weight and false lift factors

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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