DEN99LA023

Factual narrative

On October 5, 1998, at 0810 mountain daylight time, a Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15, N3290G, was not damaged during a high wind hard landing at Albuquerque, New Mexico. The commercial pilot and two of his passengers were not injured; however, a second passenger was seriously injured. The balloon was owned by the pilot and was being operated by World Balloons, LLC., of Albuquerque, New Mexico, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight which originated from the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Park approximately 45 minutes prior to the accident. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, the surface wind velocity increased to 10 to 12 knots during the flight. He reported to the Investigator-In-Charge that he descended to lower altitudes several times to "test the wind conditions." He briefed his passengers and performed the landing. One passenger received a broken ankle. The injured passenger told one of the crew members that she had shifted her position just before touchdown and "she had not braced herself properly for the hard landing." The pilot said that the surface wind velocity increased to 10 to 12 knots during the flight. He reported to the Investigator-In-Charge that he descended to lower altitudes several times to 'test the wind conditions.' He briefed his passengers and performed the landing. One passenger received a broken ankle. The injured passenger told one of the crew members that she had shifted her position just before touchdown and 'she had not braced herself properly for the hard landing.' Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12