Balloon Works Firefly 11 accident near Phoenix, Arizona, February 13, 2004
On February 13, 2004 at about 4:25 pm local time, a Balloon Works Firefly 11, registered N7244X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Phoenix, Arizona. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries; 8 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the failure of the deflation vent line, which resulted in the pilot not being able to control the balloon in the increased wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 13, 2004 · about 4:25 pm local time
- Place
- Phoenix, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries; 8 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Balloon Works Firefly 11
- Registration
- N7244X · no longer on the register · serial F11-008
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and 10 passengers were dragged across desert terrain in a balloon, following the pilot's attempt to land. After an uneventful flight, the balloon touched down and the pilot initiated the deflation sequence. Several seconds into the deflation, the balloon's vent line separated. The separation occurred inside the balloon's envelope, resulting in the deflation mechanism becoming reseated. The surface wind increased and the pilot lost control of the balloon. Several passengers shouted that they wanted to egress the balloon carriage, but the pilot advised them that the change in weight would cause the balloon to become airborne. The carriage was dragged about 1,600 feet across terrain, colliding with cactus, rocks, and bushes. After the accident, the failed vent line was examined at the manufacturer's facility. The line construction was in conformance to the manufacturer's specification. Deterioration of the core fiber was typical of that resulting from flexural fatigue. However, due to the absence of information regarding the rigging configuration and/or conditions of use, the cause of the core-fiber deterioration was inconclusive. The manufacturer noted that the failed core fiber points at the failure point were consistent with one or more of the following conditions: insufficient bend radius while rope is under load; pinching of rope between objects; severe localized overloading.
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
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 1,522 hours in all; 114 in this make and model; 37 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 1,519 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 914.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 11, 2003; 14.8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,940 lb
- Seats: 13
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Hot Air Expeditions
The flight
- Departed from: Phoenix AZ at 3:45 pm
- Destination: Phoenix AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 3°F (-16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from DVT, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 8 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N7244X the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.