Firefly F8B accident near Eatonton, Georgia, April 7, 2004
On April 7, 2004 at about 10:15 pm local time, a Firefly F8B (balloon), registered N2200D, suffered minor damage in an accident near Eatonton, Georgia. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The overload failure of the windline quick release tiedown eyebolt.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 7, 2004 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Eatonton, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Firefly F8B
- Registration
- N2200D · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: Eatonton GA at 11:15 pm
- Destination: Eatonton GA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Wind: from 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from MCN
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.