# NTSB BFO86LA046: Balloon Works FF-7, N7423H, Roanoke, VA, September 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1986, 18:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Roanoke, VA
- Coordinates: 37.310558, -79.899284 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3106&lon=-79.8993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11257
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11257/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86LA046

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - wire,transmission(marked)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HOT AIR BALLOON WAS INVOLVED IN AN AIR SHOW FLIGHT EVENT. WHILE ENROUTE TO THE AIRPORT THE PLT STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED WINDS THAT FORCED HIM TO LAND SHORT OF THE ARPT. DURING THE LNDG APCH HE BECAME DISTRACTED BY SPECTATORS ON THE GROUND WHO WERE IN HIS FLIGHT PATH AND AS A RESULT DID NOT SEE POWER LINES IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE COLLISION OCCURRED BETWEEN THE POWER LINES AND THE BALLOON SUSPENSION CABLES. THE CABLES WERE SEVERED AND THE BASKET SEPARATED FROM THE BALLOON AND THEN DESCENDED TO THE GROUND FROM A HEIGHT OF ABOUT 20 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7423H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7423H-1996-12-13), registration cancelled 1996-12-13, S/N F7338 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Balloon Works FF-7
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7) (registry code 1050100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F7-338
- Airframe hours: 28
- Engines: none T3-017 unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Richard M. Davis
- Registered owner: Boddie Noels Enterprise
- Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1986, 28 hours before
- Destination: ROA, ROANOKE, VA
- Airport: ROA, Roanoke Regal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 760 total, 568 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROA

## 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 19860914074039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860914074039A), Sep 14, 1986: Balwks FIREFLY7, Roanoke, VA, Substantial damage. The hot air balloon hit wires during landing. The pilot was distracted by spectators in the selected landing area.

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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