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NTSB Report
June 24, 1984 · Balloon Works Firefly 7 · N1537D
Geneva, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 24, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Geneva, IL
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 7
Tail Number
N1537D
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
CHI84LA260
THE BALLOON DESCENDED IN AN AREA OF THUNDERSTORMS AND TURBULENCE AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE PLT SAID THE BALLOON 'CAVED IN' AND DESCENDED RAPIDLY. THE PLTS HUSBAND AND A PASSENGER REVEALED THAT THE BALLOON WAS 'VENTED' BY THE PLT TO LAND BEFORE REACHING A POWER STATION AFTER BEING 'SUCKED' UP TOWARD A CLOUD. TWO OF THE 16 BALLOONIST ABORTED THE FLT BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER. THE ACCIDENT PLT SAW CLOUD BUILDUPS BEFORE DEPARTURE BUT WAS INFORMED THEY WERE DISSAPATING.
Full Narrative
THE BALLOON DESCENDED IN AN AREA OF THUNDERSTORMS AND TURBULENCE AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE PLT SAID THE BALLOON 'CAVED IN' AND DESCENDED RAPIDLY. THE PLTS HUSBAND AND A PASSENGER REVEALED THAT THE BALLOON WAS 'VENTED' BY THE PLT TO LAND BEFORE REACHING A POWER STATION AFTER BEING 'SUCKED' UP TOWARD A CLOUD. TWO OF THE 16 BALLOONIST ABORTED THE FLT BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER. THE ACCIDENT PLT SAW CLOUD BUILDUPS BEFORE DEPARTURE BUT WAS INFORMED THEY WERE DISSAPATING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 7
Tail NumberN1537D
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsNone · Unknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 15 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:08
Weather SourceWFAC