# NTSB FTW84LA087: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N4061P, Albuquerque, NM, December 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 3, 1983, 10:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.140331, -106.490455 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1403&lon=-106.4905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21225
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21225/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA087

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING FLT, UNFAVORABLE WINDS WERE ENCOUNTERED. AN APCH WAS MADE TO A GOLF COURSE, BUT THE PLT ABORTED DUR TO HIGH WINDS. A SHORT TIME LATER, AN APCH WAS MADE TO A PARK AREA. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE WIND SWITCHED AS THE BALLOON TOUCHED DOWN & BLEW THE ENVELOPE INTO TREES. A SAFETY LINE HAD BEEN DROPPED TO WAITING GROUND CREW PERSONNEL, BUT THE WIND WAS TOO STRONG FOR THEM TO CONTROL THE ENVELOPE'S MOVEMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4061P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4061P-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N 7981, 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: 7981
- Airframe hours: 182
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Linda L. Doherty
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 13, 1982, 31 hours before
- Departed: ALBUQUERQUE, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 114 total, 114 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F

## 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 19831203060219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831203060219A), Dec 3, 1983: Balwks FIREFLY7, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Balloon was blown into trees during landing.

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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