What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) On July 3, 2001, Mr. James a. wolters operated balloon works firefly 7, N2598L, as pilot in command. N2598L, which is owned and operated by the Missouri state lottery, was being flown off the south capital lawn as part of the annual 4th of July celebration. At approximately 1930 CDT, during the initial phase of the balloon launch, Mr. Wolters struck the capital flagpole with the balloon envelope. As the balloon ascended, the side of the envelope became caught on the ornamental eagle at the top of the pole resulting in damage to the covering of one vertical load tape. Mr. Wolters was able to free the balloon from the flagpole and complete the flight without further incident.privacy data omitted
As the FAA filed it
(-23) ON JULY 3, 2001, MR. JAMES A. WOLTERS OPERATED BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 7, N2598L, AS PILOT IN COMMAND. N2598L, WHICH IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE MISSOURI STATE LOTTERY, WAS BEING FLOWN OFF THE SOUTH CAPITAL LAWN AS PART OF THE ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION. AT APPROXIMATELY 1930 CDT, DURING THE INITIAL PHASE OF THE BALLOON LAUNCH, MR. WOLTERS STRUCK THE CAPITAL FLAGPOLE WITH THE BALLOON ENVELOPE. AS THE BALLOON ASCENDED, THE SIDE OF THE ENVELOPE BECAME CAUGHT ON THE ORNAMENTAL EAGLE AT THE TOP OF THE POLE RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE COVERING OF ONE VERTICAL LOAD TAPE. MR. WOLTERS WAS ABLE TO FREE THE BALLOON FROM THE FLAGPOLE AND COMPLETE THE FLIGHT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^