Firefly Balloons 2010 FIREFLY 12B-010 N3016R

Summary

On 20 April 2021 at about 14:30 local time, a Firefly Balloons 2010 FIREFLY 12B-010 registered N3016R was involved in an accident near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, United States. 11 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 April 2021 at 14:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Pagosa Springs, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

37.2723, -107.0869

Aircraft

Firefly Balloons 2010 FIREFLY 12B-010

Registration

N3016R

Category

Balloon

Year built

2012

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN21LA210

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to properly control the balloon during a steep approach that resulted in a hard landing and a serious passenger injury.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he and 10 passengers were landing following a 30 minute flight. The balloon had to clear powerlines along a road to land in a field and the pilot had to land the balloon before it encountered trees and a row of bushes at the end of the field. The pilot briefed the passengers on the landing position and procedures and descended to the field. He landed the balloon firm so that it would not move closer to the trees and bushes. The pilot reported that immediately after landing, one of the passengers complained that her wrist was sore. During a medical examination after the accident, it was determined that she sustained a fractured wrist.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.