# NTSB DEN88LA152: Balloon Works Firefly 8B, N7420S, Fort Collins, CO, July 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1988, 07:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Fort Collins, CO
- Coordinates: 40.590435, -105.130699 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5904&lon=-105.1307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17499
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17499/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA152

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - balloon equipment,burner system - inoperative (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THIS BALLOON FLT WAS PART OF A RALLY. THE FLT DEPARTED FROM A STADIUM, CLIMBED TO 500' AND THEN MADE A CONTROLLED DESCENT AND LANDING. AFTER THE NEXT TAKEOFF AND CLIMB TO ABOUT 125' WHEN THE BURNER WAS TURNED OFF THE PLT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS NOT FLOWING TO THE PLT LIGHT. WHILE ATTEMPTING CORRECTIVE ACTION THE BALLOON COOLED AND BEGAN TO DESCEND. THE BALLOON WAS DRIFTING TOWARD POWERLINES AND UPON REACHING 50 TO 75' AGL, THE PLT DECIDED TO OPEN THE VENT FULL AND MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. DURING THE LANDING THE BALLOON DRAPED OVER A FENCE AND THE PASSENGER SUFFERED A BROKEN ANKLE. THE PILOT STATED THAT IT IS LIKELY SHE INADVERTENTLY BUMPED THE PILOT LIGHT VALVE WHILE WORKING THE MAIN FUEL VALVE. SHE REPORTED THAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT BOTH THE MAIN AND PILOT FUEL SYSTEMS WERE CHECKED AND FOUND OK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7420S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7420S), registered now, S/N F8B-044 (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 044
- Airframe hours: 80
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: W Sebastian & Co
- Registered owner: W. Sebastian & Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1988, 2 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; flight hours: 117 total, 109 in this make and model, 117 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880704027059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880704027059A), Jul 4, 1988: Balwks FIREFLY8B, Ft Collins, CO, Substantial damage. Accidently bumped pilot light switch to off as PIC turned off burner. On descent,vented to avoid wires. Hit ground.

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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