# NTSB IAD80FA039: Balloon WKS AX-7, N40452, Hurricane, WV, April 20, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 20, 1980
- Place: Hurricane, WV · HURRICANE, WV
- Location: 38.4323° N, 82.0167° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hurricane, WV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4323&lon=-82.0167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 130509
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD80FA039
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD80FA039

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2256  80/4/20    HURRICANE,WV        BALLOON WKS AX-7    CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 30, 13 TOTAL
        TIME - 1140                    N40452              PX-  2  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MILTON,WV                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           AIRFRAME - FUSELAGE: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - PREVIOUS DAMAGE
           WEATHER - ADVERSE WINDS ALOFT
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
           PERSONNEL - PRODUCTION-DESIGN-PERSONNEL: POOR/INADEQUATE DESIGN
           PERSONNEL - FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR: INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF FLIGHT
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           WEATHER - TURBULENCE IN FLIGHT,CLEAR AIR
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      74
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          280                                                       12
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- WEAK FABRIC AT PANEL SEAM.TORE VERT ACROSS SEVERAL PANEL SEAMS.ENVELOPE COLLAPSED.STRONG GUSTS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40452](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40452-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N 7894 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WKS AX-7
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7) (registry code 1050100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Engines: none
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19800420010779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800420010779A), Apr 20, 1980: Balwks FIREFLY7, Hurricane, WV, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Flew balloon with known fabric damage & faulty repairs into mountain terrain with gusty wind. Fabric failed.

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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