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NTSB Report

September 28, 2003 · Balloon Works Firefly II · N7021U

Phoenix, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 28, 2003
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 10 uninjured
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly II
Tail Number
N7021U
Operator
Get Carried Away Hot Air Balloon
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX04CA003

The balloon sustained fire damage to the envelope while it was on the ground. One of the passengers became ill during the flight. The pilot landed the balloon in a field, and he waited for the ground crew to arrive. While he was waiting, he applied heat to the balloon to keep it standing. Each time that he applied burner, he would look to ensure that it was not contacting the envelope. Just as the ground crew arrived, he glanced at the balloon and began another burn. As he was speaking with the crew, the flame made contact with the envelope. The crew evacuated the passengers from the balloon as portions of the burning fabric fell from it. Several panels were directly burned; melting fabric damaged others. The pilot noted no mechanical problems with the balloon.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's diverted attention that resulted in the inadequate handling of the burner during ground operations.

Full Narrative

On September 28, 2003, about 0820 mountain standard time, a Balloon Works Firefly II, N7021U, sustained fire damage to the envelope while it was positioned on the ground near Phoenix, Arizona. Get Carried Away Hot Air Balloon Company was operating the balloon under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and nine passengers were not injured; two passengers sustained minor injuries. The balloon sustained substantial damage. The flight departed an area north of Phoenix about 0710 for the local area sightseeing flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that one of the passengers became ill during the flight. After landing the balloon in a field, the pilot waited for the ground crew to arrive. While he was waiting, he applied heat to the balloon to keep it standing. Each time he applied the burner, he would look to ensure that it was not contacting the envelope. Just as the ground crew arrived, the pilot glanced at the balloon and began another burn. As he was speaking with the crew, the flame made contact with the envelope. The crew evacuated the passengers from the balloon as portions of the burning fabric fell. Several panels were directly burned; others were damaged by the melting fabric. The pilot noted that there were no mechanical problems with the balloon.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:20 MST
Nearest AirportPhoenix Deer Valley (11nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd

Aircraft

AircraftBalloon Works Firefly II
Tail NumberN7021U
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGet Carried Away Hot Air Balloon
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 10 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured10
Total12
Crew 1Age 53 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data