# NTSB LAX87LA160: Balloon Works Barnes FF-8-24, N3750D, Phoenix, AZ, March 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1987, 07:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.570636, -112.249359 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5706&lon=-112.2494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25550
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25550/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA160

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - residence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT UPON LIFT-OFF THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND CALM. DURING THE FLIGHT, HOWEVER, THE WIND CONDITIONS HAD INCREASED FROM A WESTERLY DIRECTION AT A VELOCITY OF 12 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 15. THE PILOT DECIDED TO TERMINATE THE FLIGHT AND PREPARED THE PASSENGERS FOR A HIGH WIND LANDING. PRIOR TO TOUCH-DOWN A GUST OF WIND PUSHED THE BALLOON TOWARDS A MOBILE HOME, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A RE-HEAT TO GAIN ALTITUDE, HOWEVER, BEFORE ENOUGH ALTITUDE WAS GAINED THE BASKET STRUCK THE HOME. THE BALLOON THEN CLEARED THE HOME AND LANDED APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES FROM THE INITIAL COLLISION WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE PLTS FLT TIME WAS NOT REPORTED OR AVAILABLE

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3750D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3750D-1991-03-26), registration cancelled 1991-03-26, S/N F8027 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS BARNES FF-8-24 (BARNES FF-)
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8-24) (registry code 1050107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F8-027
- Airframe hours: 347
- Engines: unknown UNK unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sedona Redrock Ballon Adv.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 8, 1986, 58 hours before
- Departed: PHOENIX, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870319052179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870319052179A), Mar 19, 1987: Balwks FIREFLY824, Phoenix, AZ, Minor damage. Collided with a mobile home during a high wind landing. Landed two miles from initial collision with the residence.

## Other investigations on N3750D (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX87LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA168), Apr 5, 1987: Balloon Works Firefly 8-24 (N3750D), Phoenix, AZ, no damage

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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