# NTSB LAX97LA118: Balloon Works AX-8B, N9033H, Parker, AZ, March 1, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1997, 08:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Parker, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.079902, -114.220458 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0799&lon=-114.2205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 30, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29738
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29738/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA118

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning, which resulted in an excessive descent and subsequent hard landing, due to a drop in fuel pressure along with shifting winds at low altitude.

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - low pressure (contributing factor)
  - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent
- Hard landing, landing
  - terrain condition - open field
  - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor)

## Analysis

After about 15 minutes on a 'Hare and Hound' flight, the pilot noticed a drop in fuel pressure (while flying at a low altitude). He switched fuel tanks, but the balloon had begun to descend. The pilot attempted to stop the descent by using a good tank, but the balloon continued to lose altitude and landed hard on flat terrain, before the descent could be stopped. The pilot and other pilots reported low level wind shear in the area at the time. No mechanical malfunction was reported.

## Factual narrative

On March 1, 1997, at 0815 hours mountain standard time, a Balloon Works AX-8B, N9033H, owned and operated by the pilot, collided with the ground near Parker, Arizona, during a local pleasure flight.  The balloon was not damaged and the pilot and one of two passengers onboard were not injured.  The other passenger received a serious injury to the ankle.  Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time.

According to the pilot, after 15 minutes of flight, he noticed a drop in fuel pressure and switched to another tank with the balloon making a corresponding drop in altitude and change in direction.  A continuous application of the burner blast valve did not stop the rate of descent and a hard landing occurred.

The pilot stated that the loss of the propane fuel pressure in the number 2 tank just prior to the changeover to the number 4 tank, along with a wind shear, caused the balloon to collide with the ground.  Wind shears were reported by several balloonists upon debriefing their flights later that morning.  The pilot operator report did not indicate a mechanical malfunction or failure.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9033H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9033H-2002-06-17), registration cancelled 2002-06-17, S/N F8B-303, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Balloon Works AX-8B
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8b) (registry code 1050110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F8B-303
- Airframe hours: 376
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary B. Eaton
- Registered owner: Georgia L. & Gary B. Eaton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 7, 1996, 3 hours before
- Departed: P20

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 98 total, 98 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19970301002769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970301002769A), Mar 1, 1997: Balwks FIREFLY8B, Parker, AZ. Fuel pressure drop switched tanks but failed stop descent. Landed hard. Report windshear. Passenger broke ankle.

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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