# NTSB FTW83LA260: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N2375H, Farmington, NM, May 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1983, 07:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Farmington, NM
- Coordinates: 36.749427, -108.179321 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7494&lon=-108.1793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20918/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA260

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, ground personnel (cause)
  - lift-off - inadvertent, ground personnel (cause)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, A UNAUTHORIZED GROUND CREW RELIEVED THE PLT'S CREW & WOULD NOT FOLLOW HIS INSTRUCTIONS. AFTER THE GROUND CREW MOVED THE BALLOON INTO A POSITION THAT WAS UPWIND FROM A LIGHT POLE, THEY RELEASED IT & IT ASCENDING. THE PLT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT ABORT THE TAKEOFF WITHOUT LANDING ON ANOTHER BALLOON ENVELOPE. HE CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF, BUT COULD NOT CLEAR THE LIGHT POLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2375H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 7
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 7725
- Airframe hours: 393
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Magic Garden Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE, FARMINGTON, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 100 total, 100 in this make and model, 68 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19830530021329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830530021329A), May 30, 1983: Balwks FIREFLY7, Farmington, NM, Substantial damage. Hit lines

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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