# NTSB SEA04CA109: Balloon Works Fire Fly 9, N3097R, Aurora, OR, June 17, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 17, 2004, 07:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Aurora, OR
- Coordinates: 45.266666, -122.816665
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2667&lon=-122.8167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59477
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04CA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59477/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04CA109

## Probable cause

Pilot's failure to compensate for wind conditions.  Wind was a contributing factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that after about one hour of flight he "...came down to the surface to set up for a landing."  He stated the winds were greater than expected (estimated to be 10-12 MPH) and prepared for a high wind landing.  The pilot stated that during the landing approach the basket "...impacted land and dragged approximately 30-40 yards before coming to a stop" on its side.

## Factual narrative

On June 17, 2004, about 0715 Pacific daylight time, a Balloon Works Fire Fly 9 balloon, N3097R, collided with terrain while landing near Aurora, Oregon.  The balloon is registered to the pilot and was being operated under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  Of the seven people aboard (pilot plus 6 passengers), the certificated commercial pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries, another passenger received minor injures, and the remaining four passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.  The flight originated at Tigard, Oregon, approximately 1 hour prior to the accident.

In a written statement provided to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the pilot reported that after about one hour of flight he "...came down to the surface to set up for a landing."  He stated the winds were greater than expected (estimated to be 10-12 MPH) and prepared for a high wind landing.  The pilot stated that during the landing approach the basket "...impacted land and dragged approximately 30-40 yards before coming to a stop" on its side.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3097R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3097R-2025-11-12), registration cancelled 2025-11-12, S/N F9-063, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Balloon Works Fire Fly 9
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 9](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-9) (registry code 1050120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F9-063
- Airframe hours: 287
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Derek Hancock
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 2003, 39 hours before
- Departed: Tigard, OR
- Destination: Aurora, OR
- Airport: 3S2, Aurora State

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; flight hours: 716 total, 0 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20040617011029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040617011029A), Jun 17, 2004: Balwks FIREFLY9, Aurora, OR. (-23) Lighter-than-air free balloon with a pilot and six passengers experienced a harder than normal landing after encountering strong gusty wind conditions.…

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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