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NTSB Report
February 19, 1982 · Balloon Works Firefly · N1527F
Phoenix, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 19, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly
Tail Number
N1527F
Operator
C G Catallo
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX82FUJ28
THE PILOT WAS LANDING IN A VACANT LOT WHEN THE LIGHT AND VARIABLE WIND SHIFTED AND STARTED BLOWING THE BALLOON TOWARD POWERLINES. JUST PRIOR TO THE WIND SHIFT, THE BALLOON WAS DESCENDING RAPIDLY. RATHER THAN MAKE A HARD LANDING, THE PILOT TRIED TO "BURN" HIS WAY OUT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB FAST ENOUGH TO MISS THE WIRES. AFTER CONTACTING THE WIRES, THE SUSPENSION CABLES FROM THE BASKET TO THE ENVELOPE WERE BURNED IN TWO. THE BASKET AND OCCUPANTS FELL ABOUT 14 FT TO THE GROUND. ALSO, A POWERLINE WAS SEVERED BY ARCING.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS LANDING IN A VACANT LOT WHEN THE LIGHT AND VARIABLE WIND SHIFTED AND STARTED BLOWING THE BALLOON TOWARD POWERLINES. JUST PRIOR TO THE WIND SHIFT, THE BALLOON WAS DESCENDING RAPIDLY. RATHER THAN MAKE A HARD LANDING, THE PILOT TRIED TO "BURN" HIS WAY OUT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB FAST ENOUGH TO MISS THE WIRES. AFTER CONTACTING THE WIRES, THE SUSPENSION CABLES FROM THE BASKET TO THE ENVELOPE WERE BURNED IN TWO. THE BASKET AND OCCUPANTS FELL ABOUT 14 FT TO THE GROUND. ALSO, A POWERLINE WAS SEVERED BY ARCING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly
Tail NumberN1527F
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
OperatorC G Catallo
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point15 C / 0 C
Altimeter0