# NTSB FTW86LRG15: Balloon Works 8B, N74176, Round Rock, TX, March 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1986, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Round Rock, TX
- Location: 30.5083° N, 97.6789° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Round Rock, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5083&lon=-97.6789&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22155
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LRG15
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22155/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LRG15

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - wind information - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE BALLOON WAS DAMAGED DURING LANDING IN A WIND OF 15 KTS GUSTING TO 40 KTS. THE PLT SAID THAT THE SURFACE WIND INCREASED DURING THE FLT. THE BALLOON WAS BLOWN ABOUT 900 YDS WHILE DRAGGING THE BASKET ACROSS A GRASS FIELD DURING THE LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74176](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74176-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N F8B-045 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS 8B
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8b) (registry code 1050110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F8B-45
- Airframe hours: 3
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ernest R. Newton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AUSTIN, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 930 total, 2 in this make and model, 930 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots, gusting 40
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19860301004519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860301004519A), Mar 1, 1986: Balwks FIREFLY8B, Round Rock, TX, Substantial damage. Encountered strong gusty winds and basket was dragged through brush for 900 yds during landing. No weather briefing

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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