# NTSB BFO88LA066: Balloon Works AX-8, N7108, Purcellville, VA, July 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1988, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Purcellville, VA
- Location: 39.1384° N, 77.7082° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Purcellville, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1384&lon=-77.7082&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11425
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11425/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA066

## Probable cause

THE PILOT LANDED THE HOT AIR BALLOON AT AN EXCESSIVE DESCENT RATE WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. WIND GUST ARE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - descent - excessive, unqualified person (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, A WIND GUST OCCURRED DURING LIFT OFF. A PASSENGER SAID THE BALLOON WENT LATERALLY ABOUT 50 TO 75 YDS WHERE IT STRUCK SEVERAL OBSTACLES; A FENCE, A UTILITY LINE, AND A TREE. THE PLT SAID HE CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF AND THE BALLOON EVENTUALLY BECAME AIRBORNE. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE WINDS BEGAN INCREASING SO HE DECIDED TO LAND. THE PLT SAID HE LANDED HARD AND THE FORCE EJECTED HIM AND A PAX FROM THE GONDOLA. AFTER THE PLT WAS EJECTED, THE BALLOON LIFTED OFF AGAIN WITH FOUR PASSENGERS ABOARD. THE PASSENGER SAID THE BALLOON LIFTED TO ABOUT 100 FT AGL WHEN HE HEARD THE PLT YELLING TO PULL THE VALVE LINE, WHICH HE DID. THE PASSENGER SAID THE BALLOON DESCENDED RAPIDLY AND LANDED HARD; THE BALLOON COLLAPSED ON THE GONDOLA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7108 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS AX-8
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F8-105
- Airframe hours: 89
- Engines: none T-3 unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Ballon Unlimited Corp
- Registered owner: Robert O.G. Thomas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1988, 11 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; flight hours: 300 total, 300 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 18 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 19880710071749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880710071749A), Jul 10, 1988: Balwks FIREFLY8, Purcellville, VA, Minor damage. On liftoff wind blew balloon into fence and power line. Rose. Hard landing. Ejected pilot. Had passenger open vent.

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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