# NTSB SEA84LA144: Balloon Works Barnes AX-8, N1509H, Monroe, WA, June 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1984, 20:20 local (Jun 24, 1984, 03:20 UTC)
- Place: Monroe, WA
- Coordinates: 47.87001, -121.879211 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8700&lon=-121.8792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39945
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39945/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA144

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE BALLON DESCENT, THE PLT SAID HE BRIEFED THE PASSENGERS TO BEND THEIR KNEES & HOLD ONTO SOMETHING INSIDE THE BASKET. ACCORDING TO THE PLT , THE DESCENT BECAME MORE RAPID DUE TO A DOWNDRAFT. THE PASSENGERS WERE AGAIN WARNED TO 'HANG ON' BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO BE A HARD LANDING. ON IMPACT, SOME OF THE PASSENGERS FELL INTO & ONTO EACH OTHER & ONE SUSTAINED A COMPOUND FRACTURE OF THE LOWER LEFT LEG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1509H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1509H-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N F8002, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Balloon Works BARNES AX-8 (BARNES AX-)
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8-24) (registry code 1050107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F8-002
- Airframe hours: 249
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aerial Balloon Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special flight (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 23, 1983, 61 hours before
- Departed: WOODENVILLE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; seat: center

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 0° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °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 19840623056399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840623056399A), Jun 23, 1984: Balwks FIREFLY824, Monroe, WA. Balloon made hard landing causing injury to 1 of the passengers.

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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