# NTSB DEN89LA077: Balloon Works AX8-24, N7127J, Telluride, CO, February 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1989, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Telluride, CO
- Coordinates: 37.93914, -107.899833 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9391&lon=-107.8998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17673
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17673/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA077

## Probable cause

ICE FORMING IN THE FUEL TANK SHUT OFF VALVE, AND THE BURNER BLAST VALVE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL DURING LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing
  - balloon equipment,burner system - failure,partial (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel shutoff - frozen (cause)
  - throttle/power control - not possible
- Loss of control - in flight, landing
- Hard landing, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PLT AND TWO FRIENDS WERE FLYING HIS BALLOON IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. DURING THE APPROACH TO LAND, THE PLT OPENED THE BURNER VALVE TO FLARE. THE VALVE STUCK OPEN AND THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF FUEL AT THE PROPANE BOTTLE. THAT VALVE STUCK OPEN ALSO, AND THE BALLOON STARTED TO RISE. THE PLT REDUCED THE HEAT ENTERING THE ENVELOPE BY PULLING THE BURNER OUT OF THE THROAT AND POINTING IT OVERBOARD. THIS BALLOON WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN EMERGENCY 'BACK UP' BURNER SYSTEM. BY USING THE BACK UP BURNER, THE PLT MANEUVERED AND LANDED IN A WOODED AREA. THE PLT SAID THAT AFTER LANDING, HE WAS ABLE TO WORK THE STUCK VALVES UNTIL THEY CLOSED AND THE FUEL FLOW CEASED. A POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT CONDITIONS EXISTED CONDUCIVE TO ICE FORMING IN BOTH VALVES AND PREVENTING NORMAL OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7127J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7127J-1999-08-18), registration cancelled 1999-08-18, S/N F8-133 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS AX8-24
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8-24) (registry code 1050107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F8-113
- Airframe hours: 14
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary W. Woods
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1988, 14 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; flight hours: 453 total, 14 in this make and model, 441 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F

## 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 19890214021249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890214021249A), Feb 14, 1989: Balwks FIREFLY824, Telluride, CO, Substantial damage. Balloon burner and tank valves froze open on approach. Used back up burner to land on mountainside at 9000 feet.

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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