# NTSB NYC95LA026: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N4070S, Nashua, NH, October 29, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1994, 08:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: Nashua, NH
- Location: 42.7491° N, 71.4905° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nashua, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7491&lon=-71.4905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38900
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38900/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA026

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper touchdown which resulted in a rollover.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - touchdown - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE LANDING THE BALLOON IN A FIELD, THE BASKET MOMENTARILY TIPPED OVER, RESULTING IN THE OCCUPANTS FALLING DOWN.  ONE OF THE PASSENGERS FRACTURED HER FOOT.

## Factual narrative

On Saturday, October 29, 1994, at 0815 eastern daylight time, a Balloon Works Firefly 7, N4070S, a balloon, landed in a field near Nashua, New Hampshire.  The pilot and one of the passengers were not injured.  Another passenger fell during the landing and was seriously injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot said: "I found a field and landed...during the landing, the balloon...[tipped] over momentarily..."

One passenger fell and sustained a simple fracture of her foot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4070S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4070S-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 10053, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 7
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7) (registry code 1050100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 100053
- Airframe hours: 642
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steven F. Haber
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1994, 23 hours before
- Departed: NONE, HOLLIS, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; flight hours: 366 total, 258 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19941029048889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941029048889A), Oct 29, 1994: Balwks FIREFLY7, Nashua, NH. Balloon basket tipped over landing. One passenger fell and broke her foot. Appears not assuming proper position.

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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