# NTSB DEN93LA086: Balloon Works 7B-15, N9067Y, Colorado Sprgs, CO, July 24, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1993, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Sprgs, CO
- Coordinates: 38.890659, -104.700508 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8907&lon=-104.7005&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 November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18303
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18303/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA086

## Probable cause

THE PASSENGER'S FAILURE TO ASSUME THE PROPER LANDING POSITION AS INSTRUCTED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.  A FACTOR WAS: THE HIGH WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - instructions,written/verbal - not followed, passenger (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER BEING ALOFT FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES, THE FLIGHT OF FOUR BALLOONS ENCOUNTERED INCREASED WINDS ALOFT.  THE PILOTS COLLECTIVELY ELECTED TO LAND.  DURING THE LANDING, A PASSENGER FAILED TO ASSUMED THE PROPER POSITION AND SUSTAINED A LEG FRACTURE ON TOUCHDOWN.  THE PILOT AND ANOTHER PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, SHE BRIEFED HER PASSENGERS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, WHILE ALOFT, AND JUST PRIOR TO LANDING ON THE PROPER POSITION TO ASSUME FOR THE LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9067Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9067Y), registered now, S/N F7B-315, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS 7B-15
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7B-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7b-15) (registry code 1050119) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F7B-315
- Airframe hours: 83
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Walsh, Arthur J. & Cathy L.
- Registered owner: Walsh, Arthur J. & Cathy L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1993, 7 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; flight hours: 135 total, 50 in this make and model, 135 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19930724025319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930724025319A), Jul 24, 1993: Balwks FIREFLY7B, Colorado Spring, CO. Wind picked up after short sightseeing flight. Passenger injured on high wind landing. Was briefed for landing.

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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