# NTSB SEA90LA032: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N4070W, Las Vegas, NV, November 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1989, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.209888, -115.12059 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2099&lon=-115.1206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41159
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41159/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA032

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

THE PILOT OF THE RAVEN RX7, N5710Y, FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CONTROL TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH THE FIREFLY 7, N4070W, AND BOTH PILOTS DID NOT MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM EACH OTHER DURING THE PRACTICE MANEUVER.

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

DURING A PRACTICE MANEUVER FOR A RIBBON RACE, BOTH BALLOONS ASCENDED SIMULTANEOUSLY TO AN ALTITUDE OF 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND TO A POSITION 60 FEET APART. THE RAVEN RX7, N5710Y, SUDDENLY ROSE, AND THE BASKET COLLIDED WITH THE UPPER ENVELOPE OF THE FIREFLY 7, N4070W, RESULTING IN A 10 FT RIP. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, other
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Midair collision, other
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N4070W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4070W-2012-11-19), registration cancelled 2012-11-19, S/N 10057, 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: 10057
- Airframe hours: 426
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard K. Tanner
- Registered owner: Jerry L. Price
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1989, 57 hours before

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N5710Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5710Y-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N RX7-227, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Raven RALLY RX7
- Registry model: [Raven Industries RALLY RX7](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-industries-rally-rx7) (registry code 7480503) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: RX7-227
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry D. Burkhart
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N4070W; age 35; private; flight hours: 55 total, 22 in this make and model, 32 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N5710Y; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19891119066292A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891119066292A), Nov 19, 1989: Balwks FIREFLY7, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. On ribbon race other balloon N5701Y rose abruptly ripped ten foot hole in bag of N4070W. Landed with minor injury.
- [Accident 19891119066291A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891119066291A), Nov 19, 1989: Raven RX7, Las Vegas, NV. On ribbon race rose up suddenly and collided with bag of N4070W ripping a ten foot hole. Ribbon tied both balloons

## Other investigations on N4070W (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MKC84LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA182), Jun 24, 1984: Balloon Works Firefly 7 (N4070W), Overland Park, KS, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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