# NTSB FTW83LA010: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N4068K, Albuquerque, NM, October 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1982, 10:00 local (16:00 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: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69730
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69730/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA010

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, landing - roll
  - equipment,other - improper, passenger (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON LANDED IN HIGH WINDS AND WAS DRAGGED BY THE ENVELOPE FOR ABOUT 150 YARDS. WHILE THE GONDOLA WAS BEING DRAGGED A PASSENGERS BOOT GOT CAUGHT AND TWISTED HIS LEG SO THAT BOTH BONES WERE BROKEN. THE WEATHER WAS VMC AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE BALLOON WAS NOT DAMAGED AND THE PILOT AND ONE OTHER PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4068K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4068K-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 10034, built 1979 (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: 10034
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Piuma Aircraft
- Registered owner: Piuma Aircraft
- Departed: ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: ALBUQUERQUE, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; flight hours: 702 total, 1 in this make and model, 622 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles

## 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 19821002053209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821002053209A), Oct 2, 1982: Balwks FIREFLY7, Albuquerque, NM. Balloon made hard landing and was dragged by strong surface wind. Passenger pointed boot caught. Caused broken leg.

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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