# NTSB LAX80DUJ44: BLN Works FF-7, N40708, Tucson, AZ, March 21, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: March 21, 1980
- Place: Tucson, AZ · TUCSON, AZ
- Location: 32.2217° N, 110.9265° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tucson, AZ, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2217&lon=-110.9265&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 19, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131577
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80DUJ44
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DUJ44

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3520  80/3/21    TUCSON,AZ           BLN WORKS FF-7      CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 27, 87
        TIME - 1715                    N40708              PX-  0  1  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-NONE         OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ATHLETIC FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TUCSON,AZ                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           MISCELLANEOUS                                            TAKEOFF: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           PERSONNEL - MISCELLANEOUS-PERSONNEL: PASSENGER
        REMARKS- DRG TETHER LAUNCH,QUICK RLS BUCKLE SNAPPED BACK,BRK-PAX'S SUNGLASSES,PAX NOT IN UPRGT PSN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40708](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40708-1996-06-17), registration cancelled 1996-06-17, S/N 10061 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BLN WORKS FF-7
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7) (registry code 1050100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Engines: none
- Damage: No damage
- Airport: Athletic Field

## 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 19800321010059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800321010059A), Mar 21, 1980: Balwks FIREFLY7, Tucson, AZ. Passenger received eye injury when struck by released tether buckle. He was leaning over side of gondola.

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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