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NTSB Report
August 5, 1989 · Balloon Works Firefly 6B · N27113
Baton Rouge, LA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 5, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Baton Rouge, LA
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 6B
Tail Number
N27113
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW89FA143
THE PLT WAS PARTICIPATING IN THE U.S. NATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON CHAMPIONSHIP. VIDEO TAPES SHOWED THAT AT AN UNDETERMINED ALT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE BALLOON'S RATE OF ASCENT INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY. SUBSEQUENTLY, AT ABOUT 3000 FT AGL, FABRIC WAS OBSERVED TO BEGIN FLAPPING & THE BALLOON ENTERED A RAPID DESCENT WITH THE BURNER OPERATING. IT THEN IMPACTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. AN EXAM OF THE BALLOON REVEALED EVIDENCE OF OVERHEATING OF THE FABRIC. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT OVERHEATING HAD OCCURRED OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THE REQUIRED TEMP GAGE, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN MOUNTED IN THE TOP OF THE GONDOLA, WAS NOT FOUND.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT EXCEEDED THE TEMPERATURE LIMITATIONS OF THE BALLOON DURING THE CLIMB, WHICH RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE FRABRIC. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PREVIOUS HEAT DAMAGE TO THE FRABRIC, AND THE LACK OF MAINTENANCE BY THE PILOT/OWNER.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS PARTICIPATING IN THE U.S. NATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON CHAMPIONSHIP. VIDEO TAPES SHOWED THAT AT AN UNDETERMINED ALT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE BALLOON'S RATE OF ASCENT INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY. SUBSEQUENTLY, AT ABOUT 3000 FT AGL, FABRIC WAS OBSERVED TO BEGIN FLAPPING & THE BALLOON ENTERED A RAPID DESCENT WITH THE BURNER OPERATING. IT THEN IMPACTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. AN EXAM OF THE BALLOON REVEALED EVIDENCE OF OVERHEATING OF THE FABRIC. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT OVERHEATING HAD OCCURRED OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THE REQUIRED TEMP GAGE, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN MOUNTED IN THE TOP OF THE GONDOLA, WAS NOT FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 6B
Tail NumberN27113
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC