NTSB investigations: Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B-15
10 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B-15. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.
Cases per year
| 1996 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1050111'))
ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1050111'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESCRun it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB WPR22LA368Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportFirefly Balloons Firefly 8B-15 · Las Cruces, NMThe pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the balloon’s approach to landing, which resulted in a hard landing and serious passenger injury.NTSB ERA17LA243Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B 15 · Murfreesboro, TNThe passenger's failure to let go of the balloon's gondola when the balloon began to ascend. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the balloon after landing, which resulted in an inadvertent takeoff.NTSB GAA16LA172Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works FIREFLY8B · Rock Hill, SCThe pilot’s inadequate compensation for wind, which resulted in the balloon landing hard and a passenger sustaining a serious injury.NTSB CEN13CA278Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Anthony, KSThe pilot’s failure to monitor the balloon's altitude, which resulted in the balloon impacting an airport rotating beacon tower.NTSB DFW05CA002Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Piedmont, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with power lines while landing. Contributing factors were the reduced visibility, fog, and low cloud ceiling.NTSB DEN01LA158Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Colo. Springs, COthe passenger's failure to follow instructions given to brace for a high wind landing, and the pilot's failure to adequately monitor the passenger's actions. A contributing factor was the thermal lift.NTSB FTW01LA154Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Celina, TXthe unsuitable landing area selected by the pilot-in-command which resulted in a hard landing. A contributing factor was the uneven/rough terrain.NTSB DEN99LA023Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Albuquerque, NMThe passenger not following high wind landing procedures/directives which were given to her by the pilot. A factor was the unforecasted high wind condition.NTSB NYC98LA085Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Elk Garden, VAthe pilot's improper weather evaluation. The gusty wind condition was a related factor.NTSB FTW96LA212Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · Ft. Lupton, COthe pasenger's failure to follow the instructions given by the pilot during a briefing.