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NTSB Report
June 18, 1985 · Balloon Works Firefly AX-7 Firefly AX · N40532
Somonauk, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 18, 1985
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Somonauk, IL
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly AX-7 Firefly AX
Tail Number
N40532
Operator
Ronald W Pierce
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI85FEE02
THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH POWERLINES DURING TAKEOFF. THE WIND WAS REPORTED AS 10-15 MPH WITH GUSTS. THE OPERATION WAS CANCELED DUE TO THE WIND AFTER 6 SUCCESSFUL LAUNCHES. THE LAST PLT WAS REPORTEDLY PRESSURED TO GO BY HIS PASS'G AND A GUST OF WIND BLEW THEM INTO THE WIRES. ONE PERSON WAS THROWN FROM THE BASKET DURING THE COLLISION AND SUFFERED BROKEN BONES IN HIS ARMS AND RIBS. THE OTHER 3 HAD JUMPED AS INSTRUCTED BY THE PLT AND ESCAPED INJURY.
Full Narrative
THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH POWERLINES DURING TAKEOFF. THE WIND WAS REPORTED AS 10-15 MPH WITH GUSTS. THE OPERATION WAS CANCELED DUE TO THE WIND AFTER 6 SUCCESSFUL LAUNCHES. THE LAST PLT WAS REPORTEDLY PRESSURED TO GO BY HIS PASS'G AND A GUST OF WIND BLEW THEM INTO THE WIRES. ONE PERSON WAS THROWN FROM THE BASKET DURING THE COLLISION AND SUFFERED BROKEN BONES IN HIS ARMS AND RIBS. THE OTHER 3 HAD JUMPED AS INSTRUCTED BY THE PLT AND ESCAPED INJURY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly AX-7 Firefly AX
Tail NumberN40532
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRonald W Pierce
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsNone · NONE · Unknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 46 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind260° @ 11 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:50
Weather SourceWFAC