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NTSB Report
May 14, 1988 · Balloon Works Firefly 7 · N1502K
Red Creek, NY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 14, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Location
Red Creek, NY
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 7
Tail Number
N1502K
Operator
David J Longeill
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
NYC88LA142
WHILE THE PILOT WAS WAITING FOR LIFTOFF, THREE GROUND CREWMEN WERE SITTING ON THE BASKET HOLDING THE BALLOON DOWN. AS THE PILOT PREPARED FOR LIFTOFF, HE ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS READY FOR LIFTOFF AND UNTIED THE ROPE. AS THE BALLOON REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 6-10 FEET, ONE OF THE GROUND CREWMAN JUMPED OFF AND FELL RECEIVING SERIOUS INJURIES. THE GROUND CREWMAN WAS WAITING FOR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE PILOT. THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT THE GROUND CREWMAN WAS AWARE OF THE LIFTOFF. THE PILOT AND GROUND CREWMAN HAD NOT WORKED TOGETHER BEFORE.
Full Narrative
WHILE THE PILOT WAS WAITING FOR LIFTOFF, THREE GROUND CREWMEN WERE SITTING ON THE BASKET HOLDING THE BALLOON DOWN. AS THE PILOT PREPARED FOR LIFTOFF, HE ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS READY FOR LIFTOFF AND UNTIED THE ROPE. AS THE BALLOON REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 6-10 FEET, ONE OF THE GROUND CREWMAN JUMPED OFF AND FELL RECEIVING SERIOUS INJURIES. THE GROUND CREWMAN WAS WAITING FOR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE PILOT. THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT THE GROUND CREWMAN WAS AWARE OF THE LIFTOFF. THE PILOT AND GROUND CREWMAN HAD NOT WORKED TOGETHER BEFORE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:05 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 7
Tail NumberN1502K
Aircraft CategoryBall
OperatorDavid J Longeill
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 44 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind315° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO