# NTSB ATL89FA158: Balloon Works Firefly 8B, N37141, Garner, NC, June 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1989, 07:17 local (11:17 UTC)
- Place: Garner, NC
- Location: 35.6895° N, 78.6146° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Garner, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6895&lon=-78.6146&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7895
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7895/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA158

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS DELAY IN INITIATING A CLIMB AS THE BALLOON CONVERGED ON THE TV TOWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - electrical tower
  - climb - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37141](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37141-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N F8B-030 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 8B
- 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-030
- Airframe hours: 341
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: The Balloon Plantation, Inc
- Registered owner: Balloon Plantation Inc
- Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 1988, 24 hours before
- Departed: KNIGHDALE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; toxicology performed; flight hours: 551 total, 292 in this make and model, 537 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 17 nm away

## 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 19890611014999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890611014999A), Jun 11, 1989: Balwks FIREFLY8B, Garner, NC, Substantial damage, 3 fatal. Balloon struck a television guy wire during cruise flight. Balloon streamered and crashed. Fabric porosity suspect.

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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