# NTSB LAX82DA089: Barnes Balloon AX7, N40688, Napa, CA, February 28, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1982, 08:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Napa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.620449, -122.609016 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6204&lon=-122.6090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71823
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71823/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA089

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission(marked)
  - clearance - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire/explosion, landing
  - balloon equipment,envelope - arcing
  - balloon equipment,burner system - fire

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND SHORT OF POWERLINES AFTER ABORTING AN ASCENT TO SAFELY CLEAR THEM BECAUSE OF WHAT HE REPORTED AS UNSTABLE AIR. THE GONDOLA BOUNCED AND SLID INTO THE WIRES. THE PILOT STATED THAT ELECTRIC CURRENT PASSED THROUGH THE LOAD LINES AND A FIRE STARTED WHEN IT CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE PILOT LIGHT HOSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40688](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40688-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N 10042, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BARNES BALLOON AX7 (BALLOON AX)
- 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: A7034
- Airframe hours: 312
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Napa Valley Balloons
- Registered owner: Napa Valley Balloons
- Departed: YOUNTVILLE, CA
- Destination: SFO, TRUCKEE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 436 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

## 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 19820228000889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820228000889A), Feb 28, 1982: Balwks FIREFLY7, Napa, CA, Destroyed. Unforseen gust drifted balloon towards powerline. Tried to land and deflate short but hit wires. Balloon burned.

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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