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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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July 15, 2017 · Balloon Works Firefly 8B 15 Undesignat · N3282P

Murfreesboro, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 15, 2017
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Murfreesboro, TN
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 8B 15 Undesignat (2017)
Tail Number
N3282P
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
ERA17LA243

According to the commercial pilot, after a successful sightseeing balloon flight, all the passengers exited the gondola and were helping the pilot secure the balloon. As they were holding on to the maneuvering handles, the balloon began to ascend; the pilot directed the passengers to "let go" of the gondola, and all except one released the maneuvering handles. The passenger who did not let go was carried about 30 ft into the air before he let go and fell to the ground; he sustained serious injuries. The pilot regained control of the balloon and landed.

NTSB Probable Cause

The passenger's failure to let go of the balloon's gondola when the balloon began to ascend. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the balloon after landing, which resulted in an inadvertent takeoff.

Full Narrative

On July 14, 2017, about 1930 central daylight time, a Balloon Works, Firefly 8B-15, N3282P, ascended unintentionally after landing near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The commercial pilot was not injured and one passenger was seriously injured. The commercial sightseeing flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.According to the pilot, after a successful flight, all three passengers exited the gondola and were assisting the pilot in securing the balloon. As they were holding on to the maneuvering handles the balloon began to ascend. The pilot directed everyone to "let go" but one of the passengers continued to hold on to the maneuvering handles. As the gondola ascended the passenger was carried about 30 ft into the air, before letting go and falling to the ground. The pilot regained control of the balloon and landed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 8B 15 Undesignat
Tail NumberN3282P
Aircraft CategoryBall
Operating RulePart 91
Seats0

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time00:38
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data