# NTSB NYC84LA139: Balloon Works Fire FLY 6B, N3738H, Butler, PA, February 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1984, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Butler, PA
- Coordinates: 40.860015, -79.889907 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8600&lon=-79.8899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35535
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35535/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA139

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, approach
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - level off - attempted, pilot in command
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - recovery from bounced landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A DESCENT TO LAND, THE PLT OF A BALLOON TRIED TO LEVEL OFF TO REACH A DESIRED TOUCH DOWN POINT. THE PLT ADDED HEAT, BUT THE BALLOON CONTINUED TO DESCEND. AFTER A HARD BOUNCED LANDING, THE BALLOON BEGAN TO ASCEND, BUT IT COLLIDED WITH TREE LIMBS & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3738H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3738H), registered now, S/N F6B-001, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Balloon Works FIRE FLY 6B (FIRE FLY 6)
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 6B](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-6b) (registry code 1050103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 76B-001
- Airframe hours: 4
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Timothy Erwin Mccoy
- Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 1983
- Departed: GLADE MILLS, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 54 total, 2 in this make and model, 46 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °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 19840210054289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840210054289A), Feb 10, 1984: Balwks FIREFLY6B, Butler, PA, Substantial damage. Added heat to slow descent. Added heat caused balloon to rise after touchdown and drift into trees.

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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