Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

July 11, 1993 · Balloon Works Firefly 8B · N7113E

Flemington, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 11, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Flemington, NJ
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 8B
Tail Number
N7113E
Operator
Looking Up Advertising
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO93LA118

DURING AN UNEVENTFUL 45 MINUTE BALLOON FLIGHT, A LONG DRAG LANDING WAS MADE ONTO A HAY FIELD. NEAR THE END OF THE DRAG LANDING, THE BALLOON FLATTENED OUT SPREAD ACROSS THE STUBBLE OF THE HAY FIELD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE PASSENGER INADVERTENTLY ACTIVATED THE BURNER WHILE EXITING THE GONDOLA. THE FLAMES FROM THE BURNER IGNITED THE STUBBLE UNDERNEATH THE ENVELOPE, SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSING THE ENVELOPE TO BURN.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PASSENGER'S INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE BURNER AFTER THE LANDING, CAUSING THE TERRAIN TO BURN AND SUBSEQUENTLY IGNITING THE BALLOON ENVELOPE.

Full Narrative

On July 10, 1993, about 2020 hours eastern daylight time, N7113E, a Balloon Works Firefly 8B balloon, registered to Looking Up Advertising Incorporated, North Plainfield, New Jersey, was substantially damaged during landing in Flemington, New Jersey. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight departed from Frenchtown, New Jersey, at 1935 hours and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot; "A successful 45 minute balloon flight was made. . . . A long drag landing was made on the upward slope of a hay field that was cut and raked with 3 inch stubble in the ground. The balloon flattened out at the end of [the] drag, laying on top of the stubble. The passenger crawled out of the gondola and hit the burner, causing the burner to go on, setting the stubble on fire in front of the basket going under the envelope, causing [the envelope] to burn." No mechanical malfunctions were reported.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:20 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 8B
Tail NumberN7113E
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLooking Up Advertising
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind330° @ 15 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data