# NTSB LAX90LA279: Balloon Works Firefly 8, N9023Z, Napa, CA, August 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1990, 07:46 local (14:46 UTC)
- Place: Napa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.549114, -122.150619 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5491&lon=-122.1506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26886
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA279
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26886/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA279

## Probable cause

THE FLIGHT'S ENCOUNTER WITH A PROBABLE MICROBURST WEATHER PHENOMENA WITH DOWN DRAFTS AND WINDS BEYOND THE PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY OF THE BALLOON.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - microburst/dry (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SEVENTEEN BALLOONS LAUNCHED FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS AROUND THE NAPA VALLEY FOR LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHTS. STATEMENTS FROM PILOTS, PASSENGERS AND GROUND WITNESSES SAID THAT WHILE THE BALLOONS WERE IN NORMAL DRIFTING FLIGHT A MICROBURST LIKE CONDITION SUDDENLY OCCURRED WHICH AFFECTED ALL OF THE BALLOONS. THE WEATHER PHENOMONA ENCOUNTERED INCLUDED STRONG GUSTING SURFACE AND ALOFT WINDS IN ADDITION TO SEVERE DOWN DRAFTS. THE BALLOONS WERE RAPIDLY FORCED TOWARD THE GROUND AS THEIR GROUND SPEED INCREASED RADICALLY. THE PILOTS OF SEVERAL BALLOONS REPORTED THAT THE SHAPES OF THEIR BALLOON ENVELOPES WERE SEVERELY DISTORTED BY THE SUDDEN MOVEMENT OF THE AIRMASS. EIGHT OF THE 17 BALLOONS ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDINGS. FOUR OF THE BALLOONS SUCCESSFULLY LANDED. THE OTHER FOUR BALLOONS COLLIDED WITH OBSTRUCTIONS AND THE GROUND DURING THE ATTEMPTED LANDINGS. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, A LARGE THUNDERSTORM WAS REPORTED 30 MILES TO THE NORTH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9023Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9023Z-1997-02-11), registration cancelled 1997-02-11, S/N F8350 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 8
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8) (registry code 1050109) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F8-350
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Napa Valley Balloons, Inc.
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; flight hours: 210 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: APC

## 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 19900807031079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900807031079A), Aug 7, 1990: Balwks FIREFLY8, Napa, CA. Encountered severe wind gusts and downdraft. Ground impact injured passenger. Thunderstorm 30 miles north.

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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