# NTSB FTW83LA005: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N58LB, Albuquerque, NM, October 4, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1982, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Location: 35.0845° N, 106.6511° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Albuquerque, NM, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0845&lon=-106.6511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69729
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69729/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA005

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH TREES WHILE LANDING IN A ZOO PARKING LOT. THE WEATHER WAS VMC AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PILOT STATED THAT IN ATTEMPTING TO LAND NEXT TO THE BALLOON THEY WERE CHASING IN A HOUND AND HARE GAME, HE ALLOWED THE GONDOLA TO DRAG THROUGH THE TREE TOPS. THE ENVELOPE THEN CAUGHT ON A TREE AND DURING THE ENCOUNTER THE ENVELOPE WAS TORN BY THE BRANCHES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58LB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58LB-2013-05-01), registration cancelled 2013-05-01, S/N 10974, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 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
- Serial number: 10974
- Airframe hours: 35
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leonard Barad
- Registered owner: Leonard Barad
- Departed: ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: ALBUQUERQUE, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 271 total, 271 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 131 °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 19821004051169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821004051169A), Oct 4, 1982: Balwks FIREFLY7, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Hound balloon in balloon race tried to land near hare balloon in a parking lot. Envelope struck trees.

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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