# NTSB LAX87LA168: Balloon Works Firefly 8-24, N3750D, Phoenix, AZ, April 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1987, 07:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.429557, -113.049972 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4296&lon=-113.0500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25557/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA168

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE BALLOON RIDE, THE BALLOON LIFTED OFF IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION THEN SHIFTED TO A SOUTH EASTERLY DIRECTION. THE PLT FELT THAT THE BALLOONS RESPONSE TIME FOR ADEQUATE LIFT TOOK TOO LONG. THE BALLOON BEGAN DRIFTING TOWARD 50 TO 60 FT POWER LINES. THE PLT DECIDED AT APRX 50 FT AGL TO LAND THE BALLOON. THE PILOT PULLED THE TOP OUT OF THE BALLOON WHICH DESCENDED RAPIDLY COLLIDING WITH THE TERRAIN. THE BALLOON CAME TO REST APRX 100 FT FROM THE POWER LINES.

## 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 FIREFLY 8-24 (FIREFLY 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: FS027
- Airframe hours: 370
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sedona Redrock Balloon Advent.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 8, 1987, 81 hours before
- Departed: PHOENIX, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 731 total, 422 in this make and model, 52 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DVT, 5 nm away

## 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 19870405008419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870405008419A), Apr 5, 1987: Balwks FIREFLY824, Phoenix, AZ. The balloon failed to climb properly. The pilot pulled out the top to avoid powerlines. Three passengers injured.

## 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 LAX87LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA160), Mar 19, 1987: Balloon Works Barnes FF-8-24 (N3750D), Phoenix, AZ, minor 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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