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NTSB Report
June 6, 1987 · Balloon Works Firefly 7 · N1511A
Kannapolis, NC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 6, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Kannapolis, NC
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 7
Tail Number
N1511A
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL87LA158
THE BALLOON PILOT WAS EXECUTING A LANDING APPROACH TO A CLEAR AREA. HE FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID ELECTRICAL POWER LINES ON THE NEAR SIDE OF THE FIELD AS HE MADE HIS APPROACH. THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH THE POWER LINES AND THE BASKET LANDED HARD. THE BALLOON REMAINED DRAPED OVER THE POWER LINES AFTER THE BASKET CAME TO A STOP. THE PILOT SUSTAINED SERIOUS ELECTRICAL SHOCK INJURIES AND ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS ELECTROCUTED.
Full Narrative
THE BALLOON PILOT WAS EXECUTING A LANDING APPROACH TO A CLEAR AREA. HE FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID ELECTRICAL POWER LINES ON THE NEAR SIDE OF THE FIELD AS HE MADE HIS APPROACH. THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH THE POWER LINES AND THE BASKET LANDED HARD. THE BALLOON REMAINED DRAPED OVER THE POWER LINES AFTER THE BASKET CAME TO A STOP. THE PILOT SUSTAINED SERIOUS ELECTRICAL SHOCK INJURIES AND ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS ELECTROCUTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:50 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 7
Tail NumberN1511A
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown · UNKNOWN · Unknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 40 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind45° @ 6 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO