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NTSB Report
March 17, 1985 · Balloon Works Firefly 7 · N4065D
Arlington, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 17, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Arlington, TX
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 7
Tail Number
N4065D
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW85LA153
ACCORDING TO THE PASSENGER, A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE BALLOON TO BECOME AIRBORNE PREMATURELY AND DRIFT TOWARD PWR LINES. APRX 25 FT FROM THE WIRES THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF BY DEFLATING THE ENVELOPE. JUST PRIOR TO WIRE CONTACT THE PASSENGER JUMPED ABOUT 25 FT TO THE GROUND. ELECTRICAL ARCING AND EXPLODING FUEL LINES CAUSED THE BASKET TO SEPARATE AND FALL TO THE TERRAIN WITH THE PLT STILL ABOARD. THE ENVELOPE CONTINUED ITS DESCENT EVENTUALLY COMING TO REST IN A SECOND SET OF PWR LINES.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PASSENGER, A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE BALLOON TO BECOME AIRBORNE PREMATURELY AND DRIFT TOWARD PWR LINES. APRX 25 FT FROM THE WIRES THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF BY DEFLATING THE ENVELOPE. JUST PRIOR TO WIRE CONTACT THE PASSENGER JUMPED ABOUT 25 FT TO THE GROUND. ELECTRICAL ARCING AND EXPLODING FUEL LINES CAUSED THE BASKET TO SEPARATE AND FALL TO THE TERRAIN WITH THE PLT STILL ABOARD. THE ENVELOPE CONTINUED ITS DESCENT EVENTUALLY COMING TO REST IN A SECOND SET OF PWR LINES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:03 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionIflt
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 7
Tail NumberN4065D
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 7 kt, gusting 9 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT