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NTSB Report

July 23, 1985 · Balloon Works Firefly 7 · N40501

Brighton, CO

Overview

Report Status

Preliminary report

Event Type

Accident

Date

July 23, 1985

Injury Outcomes

3 injuries (3 serious injuries)

Location

Brighton, CO

Aircraft

Balloon Works Firefly 7

Tail Number

N40501

Operator

Maynard M Whitney

Injuries

Serious

Aircraft Damage

Destroyed

NTSB Number

DEN85FA196

A HOT AIR BALLOON OWNED AND FLOWN BY THE PLT COLLIDED WITH ELECTRICAL POWER LINES DURING AN ATTEMPTED LANDING. THE BASKET OF THE BALLOON CAUGHT FIRE UPON CONTACT WITH THE WIRES. THE OCCUPANTS LEAPED FROM THE BURNING BASKET SUSTAINING SERIOUS INJURIES. THE BALLOON WAS DESTROYED.

Full Narrative

A HOT AIR BALLOON OWNED AND FLOWN BY THE PLT COLLIDED WITH ELECTRICAL POWER LINES DURING AN ATTEMPTED LANDING. THE BASKET OF THE BALLOON CAUGHT FIRE UPON CONTACT WITH THE WIRES. THE OCCUPANTS LEAPED FROM THE BURNING BASKET SUSTAINING SERIOUS INJURIES. THE BALLOON WAS DESTROYED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time06:45 MDT

Nearest Airport0nm N

Runway0

Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft FireIflt

Aircraft ExplosionIflt

Aircraft

AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 7

Tail NumberN40501

Aircraft CategoryBall

DamageDestroyed

OperatorMaynard M Whitney

Operating RulePart 91

Engine TypeUnknown

Engine DetailsNone · NONE · Unknown

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries)

Fatal0

Serious3

Minor0

Uninjured0

Total3

Crew 1Age 53 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDaylight

Wind315° @ 5 kt

Visibility25 sm

CeilingNone

Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C

Altimeter0

Weather SourcePILO

500 – Data service is offline

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July 23, 1985 · Balloon Works Firefly 7 · N40501

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