# NTSB FTW80DRJ43: BLN Works FF-7, N4062L, Tyler, TX, September 20, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 20, 1980
- Place: Tyler, TX · TYLER, TX
- Location: 32.3513° N, 95.3011° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tyler, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3513&lon=-95.3011&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 27, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127930
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80DRJ43
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80DRJ43

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3346  80/9/20    TYLER,TX            BLN WORKS FF-7      CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 37, 401
        TIME - 1845                    N4062L              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 63 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TYLER,TX                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           AIRFRAME - FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACES: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      92
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          180                                                       8
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- ENCTRD UPDFT,400FT AGL,ASCD TO 2000FT.ENVELOPE BCM TORN,UN STOP DSCNT.35FT TEAR.CLDY,STORMY,GSTY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4062L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4062L-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N 7991, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BLN WORKS FF-7
- 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
- Engines: none
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19800920044439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800920044439A), Sep 20, 1980: Balwks FIREFLY7, Tyler, TX, Substantial damage. Balloon panels failed in flight. Balloon collapsed, plummeted to ground. Witnessreported weather cloudy, stormy.

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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