Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B-15 N3290G

Summary

On 5 October 1998 at about 14:10 local time, a Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B-15 registered N3290G was involved in an accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. 4 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 October 1998 at 14:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

35.0592, -106.6198

Aircraft

Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B-15

Registration

N3290G

Category

Balloon

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN99LA023

1 person was seriously injured.

The passenger not following high wind landing procedures/directives which were given to her by the pilot. A factor was the unforecasted high wind condition.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot said that the surface wind velocity increased to 10 to 12 knots during the flight. He reported to the Investigator-In-Charge that he descended to lower altitudes several times to 'test the wind conditions.' He briefed his passengers and performed the landing. One passenger received a broken ankle. The injured passenger told one of the crew members that she had shifted her position just before touchdown and 'she had not braced herself properly for the hard landing.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.