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NTSB Report
September 24, 1983 · Balloon Works Firefly 6 · N2023F
Fort Madison, IA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 24, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Fort Madison, IA
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 6
Tail Number
N2023F
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
MKC83LA228
THE BALLOON WAS ONE OF 25 BALLOONS PARTICIPATING IN AN EVENT. THE PLTS HAD RECEIVED A COLLECTIVE BRIEFING FROM THE BALLOON MASTER AT 0630 WHO STATED THAT CURRENT WINDS AT NEARBY REPORTING FACILITIES WERE 8-10 KTS. THE 0600 OBSERVATION AT BURLINGTON, IA, LOCATED 25 NM NE OF THE TAKEOFF SITE, WAS 170 DEG AT 11 KTS. BY 0700 THE WINDS WERE 160 DEG AT 14 KTS, GUSTING TO 23 KTS. THE FLT DEPARTED AT 0845. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING FLT THE WINDS BECAME STRONGER & GUSTIER. DURING THE LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD THE BASKET TIPPED OVER & THE PLT FELL AGAINST A FUEL TANK BREAKING HIS LEG. THE PLT LATER RECOMMENDED THAT FUEL TANKS SHOULD BE PADDED.
Full Narrative
THE BALLOON WAS ONE OF 25 BALLOONS PARTICIPATING IN AN EVENT. THE PLTS HAD RECEIVED A COLLECTIVE BRIEFING FROM THE BALLOON MASTER AT 0630 WHO STATED THAT CURRENT WINDS AT NEARBY REPORTING FACILITIES WERE 8-10 KTS. THE 0600 OBSERVATION AT BURLINGTON, IA, LOCATED 25 NM NE OF THE TAKEOFF SITE, WAS 170 DEG AT 11 KTS. BY 0700 THE WINDS WERE 160 DEG AT 14 KTS, GUSTING TO 23 KTS. THE FLT DEPARTED AT 0845. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING FLT THE WINDS BECAME STRONGER & GUSTIER. DURING THE LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD THE BASKET TIPPED OVER & THE PLT FELL AGAINST A FUEL TANK BREAKING HIS LEG. THE PLT LATER RECOMMENDED THAT FUEL TANKS SHOULD BE PADDED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 6
Tail NumberN2023F
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO