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NTSB Report
November 17, 1985 · Balloon Works Firefly 6B · N4052K
Englewood, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 17, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Englewood, CO
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 6B
Tail Number
N4052K
Operator
J Robert Pendleton
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN86LA025
THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE ON A BALLOON FLT, THE BLAST VALVE, WHICH OPERATES THE BURNER FLAME, STUCK OPEN DURING ONE OF THE BURNS. THE PLT ATTEMPTED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO DISENGAGE THE BLAST VALVE. WHEN THE PLT COULD NOT STOP THE FLAME WITH THE BLAST VALVE, HE MANUALLY CLOSED THE THREE PROPANE TANKS. TO LAND, THE PLT OPENED A PROPANE TANK, RELIGHTING EACH TIME HE WISHED TO MAKE A BURN. UPON LANDING, THE ENVELOPE SHIFTED OVER THE FLAME, BURNING SEVEN GORE PANELS.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE ON A BALLOON FLT, THE BLAST VALVE, WHICH OPERATES THE BURNER FLAME, STUCK OPEN DURING ONE OF THE BURNS. THE PLT ATTEMPTED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO DISENGAGE THE BLAST VALVE. WHEN THE PLT COULD NOT STOP THE FLAME WITH THE BLAST VALVE, HE MANUALLY CLOSED THE THREE PROPANE TANKS. TO LAND, THE PLT OPENED A PROPANE TANK, RELIGHTING EACH TIME HE WISHED TO MAKE A BURN. UPON LANDING, THE ENVELOPE SHIFTED OVER THE FLAME, BURNING SEVEN GORE PANELS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 6B
Tail NumberN4052K
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJ Robert Pendleton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind95° @ 6 kt
Visibility46 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point9 C / 9 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:45
Weather SourceWFAC