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NTSB Report
October 29, 1985 · Balloon Works Firefly 7 · N4056L
Comstock Park, MI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 29, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Comstock Park, MI
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 7
Tail Number
N4056L
Operator
Mary Bobik
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI86LA018
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT SHE RECEIVED WIND INFORMATION FROM A FLIGHT SERVICE STATION, THE NOAA AND ATIS APPROXIMATELY 1.5 HOURS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. ALL THESE SOURCES PREDICTED WINDS TO BE LESS THAN 7 KNOTS. WINDS WERE 'VERY LIGHT' DURING BALLOON INFLATION. THE LAUNCH WAS UNEVENTFUL UNTIL THE BALLOON ROSE ABOVE THE TREES WHERE THE VELOCITY OVER THE GROUND INCREASED TO AN EVENTUAL 17 KNOTS. THE CHECK PILOT THEN INSTRUCTED THE PILOT TO SKIM THE TOPS OF CORN IN A CORNFIELD TO SIMULATE A TOUCH AND GO LANDING. THE FIELD SHE SELECTED WAS ON THE FAR SIDE OF A SET OF POWER LINES AND A WOODED AREA. AS SHE CLEARED THE POWER LINES THE WIND SHIFTED TO A HEADWIND AND THE BALLOON DESCENDED INTO THE TREES IN SPITE OF A PROPANE BURN TO ARREST THE DESCENT. THE BALLOON ENVELOPE WAS DAMAGED BY THE TREES.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT SHE RECEIVED WIND INFORMATION FROM A FLIGHT SERVICE STATION, THE NOAA AND ATIS APPROXIMATELY 1.5 HOURS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. ALL THESE SOURCES PREDICTED WINDS TO BE LESS THAN 7 KNOTS. WINDS WERE 'VERY LIGHT' DURING BALLOON INFLATION. THE LAUNCH WAS UNEVENTFUL UNTIL THE BALLOON ROSE ABOVE THE TREES WHERE THE VELOCITY OVER THE GROUND INCREASED TO AN EVENTUAL 17 KNOTS. THE CHECK PILOT THEN INSTRUCTED THE PILOT TO SKIM THE TOPS OF CORN IN A CORNFIELD TO SIMULATE A TOUCH AND GO LANDING. THE FIELD SHE SELECTED WAS ON THE FAR SIDE OF A SET OF POWER LINES AND A WOODED AREA. AS SHE CLEARED THE POWER LINES THE WIND SHIFTED TO A HEADWIND AND THE BALLOON DESCENDED INTO THE TREES IN SPITE OF A PROPANE BURN TO ARREST THE DESCENT. THE BALLOON ENVELOPE WAS DAMAGED BY THE TREES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:55 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 7
Tail NumberN4056L
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMary Bobik
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 14 kt, gusting 4 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 34 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO