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NTSB Report
October 19, 1991 · Balloon Works Firefly 7 · N4051L
Webster, NH
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 19, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured, 2 unknown outcomes
Location
Webster, NH
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 7
Tail Number
N4051L
Operator
Mary Ann Lappies
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC92LA010
WITH LOW FUEL, THE PLT MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LND IN A CONFINED AREA, NEXT TO A 34,500 VOLT PWR LINE. THE PLT SAID A GND CREWMAN GRABBED THE BASKET PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, AND SHE WAS NOT AWARE OF HIS PRESENCE. THE DEFLATING BALLOON ENVELOPE CONTACTED THE PWR LINE AND CURRENT FLOWED DOWN THE TEMPERATURE SENSING LINE BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE ENVELOPE AND THE BASKET. THE GND CREWMAN WAS FATALLY ELECTROCUTED AND HIS 12 YEAR OLD SON RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE GND CREWMAN WAS FROM ANOTHER BALLOON CREW WHICH HAD ALREADY LANDED; HE WAS NOT IN RADIO CONTACT WITH THE PLT OF N4051L
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE GROUND CREWMAN (FROM ANOTHER BALLOON) TO RECOGNIZE THE HAZARDOUS CONDITION THAT EXISTED, WHEN THE BALLOON CAME IN CONTACT WITH A HIGH VOLTAGE POWER LINE DURING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING, THE PROXIMITY OF THE POWER LINE, FAILURE OF THE BALLOON PILOT TO REMAIN CLEAR OF THE POWER LINE, AND THE GROUND CREWMAN'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY COMMUNICATE WITH THE BALLOON PILOT.
Full Narrative
WITH LOW FUEL, THE PLT MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LND IN A CONFINED AREA, NEXT TO A 34,500 VOLT PWR LINE. THE PLT SAID A GND CREWMAN GRABBED THE BASKET PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, AND SHE WAS NOT AWARE OF HIS PRESENCE. THE DEFLATING BALLOON ENVELOPE CONTACTED THE PWR LINE AND CURRENT FLOWED DOWN THE TEMPERATURE SENSING LINE BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE ENVELOPE AND THE BASKET. THE GND CREWMAN WAS FATALLY ELECTROCUTED AND HIS 12 YEAR OLD SON RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE GND CREWMAN WAS FROM ANOTHER BALLOON CREW WHICH HAD ALREADY LANDED; HE WAS NOT IN RADIO CONTACT WITH THE PLT OF N4051L
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 7
Tail NumberN4051L
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMary Ann Lappies
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured, 2 unknown outcomes
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total5
Crew 1Age 41 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 4 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:50
Weather SourceWFAC