# NTSB BFO87LA063: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N37526, Richmond, VA, September 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1987, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Richmond, VA
- Coordinates: 37.510299, -77.26963 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5103&lon=-77.2696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11338
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11338/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA063

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON WAS 10TH TO TAKEOFF IN A HOUND-&-HARE COMPETITION. DRG FLT, THE PLT NOTICED THE WIND HAD PICKED UP & THAT THE BALLOON WAS DRIFTING TOWARDS RICHMOND. HE DECIDED TO LAND IN A CEMETERY & BRIEFED THE PASSENGERS THAT THE BALLOON WOULD TOUCH DOWN HARD & MOST LIKELY BE DRAGGED. DRG THE LANDING, ONE OF THE PASSENGERS SUSTAINED A BROKEN ANKLE. THE BALLOON DRIFTED INTO A FENCE & A POWER LINE & RECEIVED MINOR DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37526](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37526-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N F7-137 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 7
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7) (registry code 1050100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F7-137
- Airframe hours: 250
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Ken Roeschen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1987, 70 hours before
- Airport: RIC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 350 total, 250 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIC

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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