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NTSB Report
May 25, 1986 · Balloon Works Firefly 7-B Firefly 7 · N15369
Lee'S Summit, MO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 25, 1986
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Location
Lee'S Summit, MO
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 7-B Firefly 7
Tail Number
N15369
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC86FA117
THE PIC STATED THAT PRIOR TO LIFTOFF, THE BALLOON WAS GYRATING AND INSTRUCTED THE GND CREW MEMBER TO STEADY THE BALLOON BY HOLDING THE ROPE. JUST AS THE BALLOON BECAME STEADY THE PIC INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF. THE PIC WAS AWARE OF TURBULENCE IN THE TAKEOFF SITE PRIOR TO LIFTOFF AND AGAIN DURING THE INITIAL LIFTOFF FM THE GROUND. THE BALLOON DRIFTED RAPIDLY EAST SOUTHEAST TOWARDS HIGH VOLTAGE POWERLINES. THE BALLOON ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE IN THE FORM OF DOWNDRAFTS. THE PIC DID NOT ABORT THE TAKEOFF BUT CONTINUED FIRING THE BURNER TO TRY TO OUTCLIMB THE EFFECTS OF THE TURBULENCE. NO TEST BALLOON WAS RELEASED FM THE TAKEOFF SITE TO ASSESS WIND CONDITIONS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.
Full Narrative
THE PIC STATED THAT PRIOR TO LIFTOFF, THE BALLOON WAS GYRATING AND INSTRUCTED THE GND CREW MEMBER TO STEADY THE BALLOON BY HOLDING THE ROPE. JUST AS THE BALLOON BECAME STEADY THE PIC INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF. THE PIC WAS AWARE OF TURBULENCE IN THE TAKEOFF SITE PRIOR TO LIFTOFF AND AGAIN DURING THE INITIAL LIFTOFF FM THE GROUND. THE BALLOON DRIFTED RAPIDLY EAST SOUTHEAST TOWARDS HIGH VOLTAGE POWERLINES. THE BALLOON ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE IN THE FORM OF DOWNDRAFTS. THE PIC DID NOT ABORT THE TAKEOFF BUT CONTINUED FIRING THE BURNER TO TRY TO OUTCLIMB THE EFFECTS OF THE TURBULENCE. NO TEST BALLOON WAS RELEASED FM THE TAKEOFF SITE TO ASSESS WIND CONDITIONS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:55 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 7-B Firefly 7
Tail NumberN15369
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 44 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:45
Weather SourceWFAC