Balloon Works FIRE FLY 7 accident near Moorpark, California, April 7, 1984
On April 7, 1984 at about 3:58 pm local time, a Balloon Works FIRE FLY 7, registered N3749W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Moorpark, California. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 5 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 7, 1984 · about 3:58 pm local time
- Place
- Moorpark, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 5 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Balloon Works FIRE FLY 7 · all FIRE FLY 7s on the register
- Registration
- N3749W · no longer on the register · serial F7-127
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER COMPLETING THE 2ND FLT OF THE MORNING, HE CHANGED THE FUEL TANK & ACQUIRED NEW PASSENGERS. HE STATED THAT DURING THE 1ST 2 FLTS, THE BALLOON HAD NOT DRIFTED MORE THAN 100 YDS FROM ITS POINT OF LIFT-OFF. AS THE BALLOON ASCENDED ON THE 3RD FLT, THE WIND CONDITION CHANGED. AT ABOUT 10 FT AGL, IT BEGAN DRIFTING TOWARD NEARBY POWER LINES. AS SOON AS THE PLT REALIZED THE BALLOON WOULD NOT CLEAR THE LINES, HE GRABBED THE VENT ROPE TO RIP THE TOP; HOWEVER, THE BALLOON DRIFTED INTO THE POWER LINES. STEEL CABLES SUSPENDING THE GONDOLA TOUCHED THE POWER LINES & A SHOWER OF SPARKS DEVELOPED. ALL OCCUPANTS WERE SERIOUSLY BURNED WHEN BITS OF HOT METAL CONTACTED THEIR HEADS, NECKS & BACKS.
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
- Flight time: 225 hours in all; 225 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 210 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 32 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 29, 1983; 32 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,660 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Moorpark CA at 3:55 pm
- Destination: Morepark CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 225° at 5 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 7:58 am
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
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.