# NTSB CHI83LA134: Balloon Works Firefly AX-7, N4057K, Augusta, MI, March 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1983, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Augusta, MI
- Coordinates: 42.330955, -85.350891 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3310&lon=-85.3509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12107
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12107/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA134

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON MADE A HARD LANDING AND EJECTED THE PILOT AND PASSENGER. THE LANDING WAS MADE IN A SCHOOL PARKING LOT. AFTERDROPPING THE OCCUPANTS THE BALLOON CONTACTED POWER LINES WITH THE ENVELOPE. THE OCCURANTS WERE NOT INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4057K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4057K-2014-12-18), registration cancelled 2014-12-18, S/N 10114, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY AX-7 (FIREFLY AX)
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7) (registry code 1050100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 10114
- Airframe hours: 270
- Engines: none T3-017 unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard C. Tereba
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 28, 1982, 58 hours before
- Departed: KALAMAZOO, MI
- Destination: AUGUSTA, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 124 total, 124 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AZO, 20 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 19830312009109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830312009109A), Mar 12, 1983: Thundr AX765, Augusta, MI, Substantial damage. Balloon pilot made hard landing throwing all occupants out, then balloon drifted into high powerlines.

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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