# NTSB NYC90LA126: Barnes Firefly 8B, N3702M, Cazenovia, NY, June 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1990, 07:10 local (11:10 UTC)
- Place: Cazenovia, NY
- Coordinates: 42.920516, -75.850929 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9205&lon=-75.8509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36659
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36659/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA126

## Probable cause

THE PASSENGERS FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE PILOTS INSTRUCTIONS AFTER A HARD LANDING WAS MADE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high wind
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command
- Miscellaneous/other, other
  - procedures/directives - not followed, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT MADE A HARD LANDING WITH WINDS ESTIMATED AT 12 KNOTS AND TIPPED OVER. ONE PASSENGER WAS THROWN OUT AS THE BASKET TIPPED OVER AND TWO OTHER PASSENGERS IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE BASKET. THE BASKET, RELEIVED OF THE WEIGHT OF THREE PASSENGERS BECAME AIRBORNE AND THE WIND BLEW IT INTO THE PASSENGERS WHO WERE OUTSIDE THE BASKET, INFLICTING INJURIES. THE PILOT SAID THE PASSENGERS FAILED TO FOLLOW THE BRIEFING HE GAVE THEM PRIOR TO LANDING TO STAY IN THE BASKET WHEN IT TIPPED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3702M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3702M-2000-09-25), registration cancelled 2000-09-25, S/N F8B-009 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BARNES FIREFLY 8B
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8b) (registry code 1050110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon, amateur-built
- Serial number: F8B-009
- Airframe hours: 193
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Jim Griswold
- Registered owner: James Griswald
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 3, 1990, 9 hours before
- Departed: JAMESVILLE, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; flight hours: 69 total, 33 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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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