# NTSB LAX84LA252: Balloon Works Fire FLY 7, N3749W, Moorpark, CA, April 7, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1984, 07:58 local (15:58 UTC)
- Place: Moorpark, CA
- Coordinates: 35.860874, -119.459098 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8609&lon=-119.4591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 5 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24232
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24232/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA252

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- Fire/explosion, takeoff
  - balloon equipment,suspension system/cables - arcing

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER COMPLETING THE 2ND FLT OF THE MORNING, HE CHANGED THE FUEL TANK & ACQUIRED NEW PASSENGERS. HE STATED THAT DURING THE 1ST 2 FLTS, THE BALLOON HAD NOT DRIFTED MORE THAN 100 YDS FROM ITS POINT OF LIFT-OFF. AS THE BALLOON ASCENDED ON THE 3RD FLT, THE WIND CONDITION CHANGED. AT ABOUT 10 FT AGL, IT BEGAN DRIFTING TOWARD NEARBY POWER LINES. AS SOON AS THE PLT REALIZED THE BALLOON WOULD NOT CLEAR THE LINES, HE GRABBED THE VENT ROPE TO RIP THE TOP; HOWEVER, THE BALLOON DRIFTED INTO THE POWER LINES. STEEL CABLES SUSPENDING THE GONDOLA TOUCHED THE POWER LINES & A SHOWER OF SPARKS DEVELOPED. ALL OCCUPANTS WERE SERIOUSLY BURNED WHEN BITS OF HOT METAL CONTACTED THEIR HEADS, NECKS & BACKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3749W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIRE FLY 7
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F7-127
- Airframe hours: 32
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen D. Whorf
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 29, 1983, 32 hours before
- Departed: MOORPARK, CA
- Destination: MOREPARK, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; flight hours: 225 total, 225 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 5 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °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 19840407012939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840407012939A), Apr 7, 1984: Balwks FIREFLY7, Moorepark, CA, Substantial damage. A gust of wind blew balloon into a powerline on initial liftoff. Sparks and molten metal burned 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.