Firefly F8B N2200D
7 April 2004 · Eatonton, Georgia, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 7 April 2004 at about 22:15 local time, a Firefly F8B registered N2200D, operated by Harry Dearing, was involved in an accident near Eatonton, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:15
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Eatonton, Georgia, United States
- Coordinates
- 33.6019, -83.4517
- Aircraft
- Firefly F8B
- Registration
- N2200D
- Category
- Balloon
- Operator
- Harry Dearing
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Eatonton → Eatonton
- Aircraft damage
- Minor
- Weather
- VMC
- NTSB number
- ATL04LA094
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The overload failure of the windline quick release tiedown eyebolt.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
According to a witness during the inflation process of the balloon, a quick release tie down eyebolt that was attached to a windline broke. As the windline released it struck the pilot in the head. The quick release tie down eyebolt was installed on the tailgate of an automobile. The balloon skid across the grass and hit a tree. Examination of the balloon revealed that six wicker panels were broken. Further examination of the quick release tie down eyebolt revealed that the fracture features were typical of a recent bending overstress fracture. According to the balloon manufacture, the quick release tie down eyebolt that failed was an after-market item.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Oct 2004 | Beechcraft B-55 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 27 Jun 2004 | Robinson R44 | Barnesville, Georgia, United States | - | Fatal | 3 |
| 9 Sep 2004 | Piper PA-32-260 | Kennesaw, Georgia, United States | Adam Kolaczek | Serious injuries | - |
| 4 Sep 2004 | Air Tractor AT-401B | Bainbridge, Georgia, United States | East River Flying Service LLC | Fatal | 1 |
| 24 Jan 2004 | Eurocopter France EC120B | Jonesboro, Georgia, United States | William K. Riley | No injuries | - |
| 19 Jun 2004 | Cessna 172 | Kennesaw, Georgia, United States | Superior Flight School Inc | No injuries | - |