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NTSB Report
May 11, 2013 · Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15 · N3171L
Anthony, KS
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 11, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Anthony, KS
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15
Tail Number
N3171L
Operator
Balloonport of Oklahoma
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13CA278
The balloon had just taken off from the airport as part of a balloon rally. The pilot said that the balloon was about 150 to 200 feet above the ground and that he was checking his flight instruments when the balloon encountered a “false lift condition” and settled on top of the rotating beacon tower on the airport. The balloon envelope was torn open, deflating the envelope, and the basket settled on the ground. A postaccident examination of the balloon showed substantial damage to the top one-third of the envelope's fabric and load tapes. No preaccident anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operation of the balloon.
NTSB Probable Cause
The pilot’s failure to monitor the balloon's altitude, which resulted in the balloon impacting an airport rotating beacon tower.
Full Narrative
The balloon had just taken off from the airport as part of a balloon rally. The pilot said that he was about 150 to 200 feet above the ground and was checking his flight instruments when the balloon encountered a false lift condition and it settled on top of the rotating beacon tower on the airport. The balloon envelope was torn open deflating the envelope and the basket settled on the ground. The pilot and the 2 passengers on board exited the basket unharmed. A postaccident examination of the balloon showed substantial damage to the top one-third of the envelope's fabric and load tapes. No other anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operation of the balloon. Weather conditions in the area at the time of the accident were winds out of the west at 6 knots, scattered clouds at 4,700 feet and 10 statute miles visibility.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:00 CDT
Nearest AirportAnthony Municipal Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 8B-15
Tail NumberN3171L
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBalloonport of Oklahoma
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 71 · None · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 46
Altimeter30.13 inHg
Observation Time11:00
Weather SourceWFAC