# NTSB NYC89LA212: Balloon Works Firefly, N7406F, Hatboro, PA, August 31, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1989, 19:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Hatboro, PA
- Coordinates: 40.169124, -75.100059 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1691&lon=-75.1001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 13, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36477
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA212
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36477/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA212

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE OBSTRUCTIONS.  A RELATED FACTOR WAS:  THE LOW LEVEL OF PROPANE (FUEL), WHICH RESULTED IN LOW BURNER PRESSURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE BALLOON DEPARTED ON A PLEASURE FLT WITH 4 PASSENGERS ABOARD. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED FROM THE SOUTHEAST AT 5 KTS, VISIBILITY WAS UNLIMITED & THE TEMP WAS 72 DEGS. ABOUT 30 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT DISCOVERED THE #2 PROPANE TANK WAS EMPTY. HE IMMEDIATELY SWITCHED TO THE #1 RESERVE TANK. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN AN APPROPRIATE LANDING SPOT, THE BURNER PRESSURE DROPPED & THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID POWERLINES. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GONDOLA CONTACTED & CAME TO REST ON THE POWERLINES. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO DISLODGE THE GONDOLA, BUT IT FELL TO THE GROUND & ONE PASSENGER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED; THE OTHER PASSENGERS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7406F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7406F-1995-04-26), registration cancelled 1995-04-26, S/N F8B019 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8b) (registry code 1050110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F88-019
- Airframe hours: 96
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John W. Edling
- Registered owner: Blue Dragon/Full Of Hot Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1988, 48 hours before
- Departed: NORTH WALES, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 392 total, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 185° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 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 19890831034469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890831034469A), Aug 31, 1989: Balwks FIREFLY8B, Hatboro, PA, Minor damage. Low on fuel on a sightseeing flight,struck powerlines. Arcing severed basket which fell approximately 35 feet.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.