# NTSB LAX84LA231: Balloon Works Fire FLY 8-24, N36104, Phoenix, AZ, March 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1984, 18:30 local (Mar 24, 1984, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.619583, -112.170463 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6196&lon=-112.1705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24212/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA231

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF ON A SIGHT-SEEING BALLOON FLT WITH 5 PASSENGERS WHOSE AGES WERE REPORTEDLY FROM 65 TO 83 YRS OLD. ABOUT 1 HR & 15 MINS LATER, HE LANDED ON DESERT TERRAIN IN WINDS THAT HE ESTIMATED WERE APRX 10 KTS GUSTING TO 15 KTS. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE BASKET DESCEND INTO VEGETATION & TIPPED OVER ONTO ITS SIDE. THE PLT HAD INSTRUCTED THE PASSENGERS TO MOVE TO THE BACK OF THE BASKET, BRACE THEMSELVES & TO SQUAT DOWN JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN. HOWEVER, SEVERAL PASSENGERS STOOD UP & EXTENDED THEIR ARMS UPWARD TO BRACE THEMSELVES. WHEN THE BASKET TIPPED OVER, 1 OF THE PASSENGER'S ARMS WAS CAUGHT BENEATH IT. SEVERAL OTHER PASSENGERS FELL ON TOP OF THE OTHERS. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS SUFFERED A BROKEN WRIST; ANOTHER SUFFERED 3 BROKEN RIBS. THE SERIOUSLY INJURED PASSENGERS WERE 70 & 83 YRS OF AGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36104](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36104-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N F8-006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIRE FLY 8-24 (FIRE FLY 8)
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8-24) (registry code 1050107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F8-006
- Airframe hours: 123
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wicks Enterprise, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1983, 23 hours before
- Departed: GLENDALE, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,986 total, 18 in this make and model, 1,829 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19840323009019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840323009019A), Mar 23, 1984: Balwks FIREFLY824, Phoenix, AZ, Minor damage. Balloon basket tipped over during land causing injuries to passengers.

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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