# Accident 19931205046059A: Balwks FIREFLY7B, Pratt, KS, December 5, 1993

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 5, 1993, 10:00 local time
- Place: Pratt, KS
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Level Off Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.6391° N, 98.7304° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6391&lon=-98.7304&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9079M, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9079M-2007-01-30) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-15 (registry code 1050118, https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALWKS FIREFLY7B
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 317 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI94LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA042) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931205046059A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

TRYING FOR BALLOON DISTANCE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED SEVERE DOWNDRAFT AND SURFACE WIND. DRAGGED INTO POWERLINE LANDING.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI94LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA042), Dec 5, 1993: Balloon Works Firefly 7-15 (N9079M), Pratt, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT ARE THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS AND THE WEATHER (HIGH WINDS).

## Other reports on N9079M (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19940219008709I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940219008709I), Feb 19, 1994: Balwks FIREFLY7 (N9079M), Beatrice, NE, Substantial damage. Strong winds aloft. Forced landing in field. Tried to deflate envelope. Winds blew balloon into barbed wire fence.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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