# NTSB FTW83FA364: Balloon Works Firefly AX-7, N3609C, Fort Worth, TX, August 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1983, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Fort Worth, TX
- Coordinates: 32.749221, -97.270126 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7492&lon=-97.2701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20753
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA364
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20753/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA364

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission(marked) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INTENDED LANDING AREA WAS A PARKING LOT. ADJACENT TO THE LOT WAS A ONE-STORY BUILDING ON TOP OF WHICH A TV ANTENNA ABOUT 20 FT ABOVE THE ROOF TOP. IN AN EFFORT TO CLEAR THE ANTENNA DURING THE DESCENT TO THE PARKING LOT, THE PLTWAS NOT AWARE OF A SET OF POWER LINES BEYOND & SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN THE ANTENNA. AFTER SAFELY CLEARING THE ANTENNA THE PLT NOTICED THE POWER LINES. FEELING THAT A VERTICAL CLIMB OVER THE LINES WAS NOT POSSIBLE, HE ELECTED TO RIP OUT THE BALLOON TOP RESULTING IN A VERTICAL DESCENT CONTACTING THE WIRES ON THE WAY TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3609C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3609C-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N F7-026, built 1983 (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: F7-026
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John J. Quincy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 1, 1983

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 74 total, 25 in this make and model, 57 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 275° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19830806039229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830806039229A), Aug 6, 1983: Balwks FIREFLY7, Ft Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Low on fuel, elected to land in a residential parking lot. Balloon contacted wires on landing. High voltage damage.

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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