# NTSB NYC98LA085: Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15, N31226, Elk Garden, VA, March 27, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 27, 1998, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC) - Place: Elk Garden, VA - Coordinates: 36.88964, -82.07048 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8896&lon=-82.0705&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39548 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39548/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA085 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper weather evaluation. The gusty wind condition was a related factor. ## 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 (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he received a weather briefing prior to departure. A tape of the weather briefing was not available, but a check of the weather available to the briefer revealed that high winds, and gusty conditions were forecast for the general area. The pilot reported that he encountered these conditions after departure, and during the landing, the basket was dragged for 438 feet. About 34 miles southwest at Bristol, TN, the wind was reported to be from 200 degrees at 10 gusting 18 knots. ## Factual narrative On March 27, 1998, about 1750 eastern standard time, N31226, a Balloon Works, Firefly-8B-15, was substantially damaged during a landing in Elk Garden, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries and the passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, which departed from Abingdon, Virginia, about 1600. No flight plan had been filed for the flight which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that he obtained a weather briefing from the Leesburg Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS). After takeoff, he encountered gusty wind conditions and attempted a landing in a field. Although he vented the envelope upon touchdown, the wind continued against the envelope and the basket tipped. While holding the vent line, the basket was dragged on its side, and the pilot was struck in the head by a rock and lost his grip on the vent line. The vent closed, and the pilot had to grab the vent line again, and the basket came to rest. According to an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the basket touched the ground in an upright position; however, the pilot was unable to deflate the envelope prior to being dragged across the field for 438 feet. The balloon and basket came to rest in trees and a barb wire fence. The tape of the weather briefing was not available; however, the area forecast and weather forecasts for Bristol, Tennessee, and Bluefield, West Virginia, were reviewed. According to forecasts, moderate turbulence was expected below 9,000 feet due to a southwesterly low level flow across the area. The conditions were expected to continue beyond 2300. Bluefield, West Virginia, was located 43 nautical miles from the accident site on a heading of 060 degrees. The terminal forecast for Bluefield called for winds from 250 degrees at 10 knots, with gusts to 18 knots. Bristol, Tennessee, was located 34 nautical miles from the accident site on a head of 220 degrees. The terminal forecast for Bristol called for winds from 200 degrees at 10 knots, with gusts to 18 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31226](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31226), registered now, S/N F8B-517, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B-15 (FIREFLY 8B) - Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8b-15) (registry code 1050111) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: F8B-S17 - Airframe hours: 103 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William G. Scarberry - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1997, 20 hours before - Departed: NONE, ABINGDON, VA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 512 total, 103 in this make and model, 499 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 220° at 12 knots - Temperature: 70 °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 19980327013619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980327013619A), Mar 27, 1998: Balwks FIREFLY8, Elk Garden, VA, Substantial damage. On March 27, 1998, about 1750 eastern standard time, N31226, a balloon works, firefly-8B-15, was substantially damaged during a lanidng in Elk Garden ,… 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.