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NTSB Report

July 3, 1987 · Balloon Works Firefly 8B · N7420U

Greenville, SC

Overview

Report Status

Preliminary report

Event Type

Accident

Date

July 3, 1987

Injury Outcomes

1 injury (1 serious injury), 3 uninjured

Location

Greenville, SC

Aircraft

Balloon Works Firefly 8B

Tail Number

N7420U

Operator

David L Woods Jr

Injuries

Serious

Aircraft Damage

Minor

NTSB Number

ATL87LA200

BALLOON DTPTED LAUNCH SITE ABOUT SIX MILES SW OF LANDING AIRPORT FOR A KEY GRAB DURING A BALLOON RALLEY. WIND WAS ABOUT SEVEN KTS ACCORDING TO PIC. APPROACHING FIELD TO LAND BASKET WAS DRAGGED THROUGH TREE TOPS TO SLOW BALLOON. POWER LINE HIDDEN BY THE TREES WAS STRUCK AND SEPARATED BY BASKET. BALLOON TOUCHED DOWN HARD WHICH RESULTED IN ONE PAX FALLING ONTO 2ND PAX BREAKING HER LOWER LEG.

Full Narrative

BALLOON DTPTED LAUNCH SITE ABOUT SIX MILES SW OF LANDING AIRPORT FOR A KEY GRAB DURING A BALLOON RALLEY. WIND WAS ABOUT SEVEN KTS ACCORDING TO PIC. APPROACHING FIELD TO LAND BASKET WAS DRAGGED THROUGH TREE TOPS TO SLOW BALLOON. POWER LINE HIDDEN BY THE TREES WAS STRUCK AND SEPARATED BY BASKET. BALLOON TOUCHED DOWN HARD WHICH RESULTED IN ONE PAX FALLING ONTO 2ND PAX BREAKING HER LOWER LEG.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time08:00 EDT

Nearest AirportDonaldson Center (0nm N)

Runway0

Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 8B

Tail NumberN7420U

Aircraft CategoryBall

DamageMinor

OperatorDavid L Woods Jr

Operating RulePart 91

Engine TypeUnknown

Engine DetailsUnknown

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 3 uninjured

Fatal0

Serious1

Minor0

Uninjured3

Total4

Crew 1Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsUnknown

LightDaylight

Wind200° @ 9 kt

Visibility6 sm

CeilingNone

Altimeter30.00 inHg

Observation Time12:00

Weather SourceWFAC

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July 3, 1987 · Balloon Works Firefly 8B · N7420U

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