# NTSB LAX84LA246: Balloon Works Fire FLY 6B, N2014F, Prescott Valley, AZ, April 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1984, 17:30 local (Apr 8, 1984, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Prescott Valley, AZ
- Location: 34.6100° N, 112.3157° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Prescott Valley, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6100&lon=-112.3157&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24228
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24228/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA246

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHEN THE BALLOON TOOK OFF, THE WINDS WERE VIRTUALLY CALM. HOWEVER, DURING THE LAST 30 MINUTES OF FLT, THE SURFACE WINDS INCREASED TO AN ESTIMATED 15 KTS WHICH NECESSITATED A HIGH WIND LANDING. THE GONDOLA TIPPED OVER DURING THE LANDING & ONE OF THE PASSENGERS SUFFERED A FRACTURED LEFT FEMUR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2014F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2014F-2012-08-22), registration cancelled 2012-08-22, S/N 6628, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIRE FLY 6B (FIRE FLY 6)
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 6B](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-6b) (registry code 1050103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 6628
- Airframe hours: 293
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jenning C. Kent
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 1983, 21 hours before
- Departed: COYOTE SPRINGS, AZ
- Destination: PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 62 total, 62 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19840407013019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840407013019A), Apr 7, 1984: Balwks FIREFLY6B, Prescott Valley, AZ. A passener was injured when balloon made a high wind landing and the gondola tipped over.

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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