# NTSB LAX90LA343: Balloon Works Firefly 7B, N1523C, Moorpark, CA, June 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1990, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Moorpark, CA
- Location: 34.2859° N, 118.8770° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Moorpark, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2859&lon=-118.8770&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26938
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA343
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26938/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA343

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ARREST DESCENT FOR LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

IN A TELEPHONE REPORT TO FAA INSPECTORS, THE PILOT SAID THE BALLOON WAS LANDING IN MILD WINDS, MADE A 'BUMPY' LANDING, AND THE BASKET TIPPED OVER. THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS FELL ON TOP OF THE THIRD PASSENGER, WHO SUSTAINED A FRACTURE OF THE PELVIS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1523C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1523C-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 10342, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 7B
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-B](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7-b) (registry code 10501A9) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 10342
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; flight hours: 200 total, 40 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900617052129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900617052129A), Jun 17, 1990: Balwks FIREFLY7B, Moorpark, CA. Landed hard and basket tipped over. Pilot and a passenger fell on a passenger who was seriously injured. Mild winds

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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