# NTSB investigations: Balloon Works FIREFLY 7 NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports. Page 2 of 2 · 90 cases ## Cases, newest first - [NTSB FTW83FA364](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA364.md): Balloon Works Firefly AX-7 · Fort Worth, TX · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 1983 · N3609C · Substantial damage > The intended landing area was a parking lot. Adjacent to the lot was a one-story building on top of which a tv antenna about 20 ft above the roof top. In an effort to clear the antenna during the descent to the parking lot, the pltwas not aware of a set of… - [NTSB CHI83LA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA318.md): Barnes AX-7 · Utica, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 1983 · N1515K · Destroyed > The student pilot made a delayed decision to land and landed within a few ft of wires without seeing them. The ground crew tried to hold him but the balloon still had too much lift. The student then saw the wires and tried to go over thembut the collision… - [NTSB MKC83LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA140.md): Balloon Works Fire FLY 7 · Ellsworth, KS · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 1983 · N1531N · Substantial damage > The Balloon collided with a radio tower during takeoff. The wind was reported to be from 180 degrees at 12-18 KTS. There is no evidence that this plt received weather briefing. This Balloon was launched closer to the tower than any of the other balloons… - [NTSB CHI83LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA265.md): Balloon Works Firefly 7 · Flint, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 1983 · N27114 · Substantial damage > After takeoff, the plt leveled the Balloon, and a short time later, he collapsed to the floor of the gondola & had difficulty breathing. The Balloon began descending. Subsequently, it hit the porch of a house & was damaged. The plt died from acute myocardial… - [NTSB DEN83FTE03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FTE03.md): Balloon Works Firefly 7 · Del Norte, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · May 30, 1983 · N1516S · No damage > While circumnavigating snow showers at night in mountainous terrain the plt elected to make a precautionary landing on a highway. The acft struck trees on a hillside that the plt hadn't seen in the darkness. - [NTSB CHI83LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA134.md): Balloon Works Firefly AX-7 · Augusta, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 12, 1983 · N4057K · Substantial damage > The Balloon made a hard landing and ejected the pilot and passenger. The landing was made in a school parking lot. Afterdropping the occupants the Balloon contacted power lines with the envelope. The occurants were not injured. - [NTSB FTW83LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA005.md): Balloon Works Firefly 7 · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 1982 · N58LB · Substantial damage > The Balloon collided with trees while landing in a zoo parking lot. The weather was VMC and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that in attempting to land next to the Balloon they were chasing in a hound and hare game, he allowed the gondola to drag… - [NTSB FTW83LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA010.md): Balloon Works Firefly 7 · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 1982 · N4068K · No damage > The Balloon landed in high winds and was dragged by the envelope for about 150 yards. While the gondola was being dragged a passengers boot got caught and twisted his leg so that both bones were broken. The weather was VMC and no flight plan was filed. The… - [NTSB DEN82DTE26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DTE26.md): Barnes AX-7 · Aurora, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Sep 4, 1982 · N4069Y · No damage > The VFR local pleasure flight was being conducted in strong 20-25 kt wind conditions. The wind condition had changed substantially during the duration of the flight. During a landing in a plowed field the gondola bounced and was drug approximately 270 feet.… - [NTSB NYC82FNC11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FNC11.md): Firefly 7 · Winslow, ME · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Jul 20, 1982 · N4041P · Substantial damage > While descending to land in an open field, the balloon began drifting towards high powerlines. In an attempt to avoid a collision, the pilot fired the burner approximately nine times, using short blasts of the burner. The balloon failed to gain altitude and… - [NTSB ATL82DA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA189.md): Balloon Works Firefly 7 · Greenville, SC · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jul 5, 1982 · N2236H · Substantial damage > The ballon with three persons on board dropped too low in a target hitting contest. The pilot then decided he could not climb above wires so he vented the Balloon in an attempt to land short. The bag contacted the wires and burned. The pilot stated he… - [NTSB FTW82FQA21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FQA21.md): Barnes AX-7 · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Jul 4, 1982 · N2045F · No damage > The pilot stated she made a practice landing near a large hill and had no problems landing. She continued flight for approximately 20 minutes and prepared to land on a road. The balloon impacted a road embankment at touchdown and the pilot broke her leg. She… - [NTSB MKC82DA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA109.md): Balloon Works Firfly 7 · Ballwin, MO · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jun 20, 1982 · N1506A · Substantial damage > The student pilot was demonstrating his ability to make 3 landings to meet the flight requirements for a private pilot rating. The first 2 landing were without incident. After the third takeoff, an increase in the wind velocity was encountered. For the third… - [NTSB CHI82DA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA178.md): Balloon Works FIREFLY-7 · Wyoming, MI · Accident · No injuries · Final report · May 20, 1982 · N1533N · Substantial damage > The pilot was attempting to takeoff from a parking lot. He stated that when the Balloon was about 15 feet from the ground a gust of wind pushed the Balloon down into some trees and an apartment house. - [NTSB LAX82DA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA089.md): Barnes Balloon AX7 · Napa, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Feb 28, 1982 · N40688 · Destroyed > The pilot attempted to land short of powerlines after aborting an ascent to safely clear them because of what he reported as unstable air. The gondola bounced and slid into the wires. The pilot stated that electric current passed through the load lines and a… - [NTSB CHI82DA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA076.md): Barnes FIREFLY-7 · Cincinnati, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Feb 27, 1982 · N1522W · Substantial damage > Pilot stated that after a normal inflation, before the balloon was hot enough to sustain flight, a gust of wind blew it into a school building. After striking the building, the balloon was dragged through a line of trees. - [NTSB LAX82FUJ28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FUJ28.md): Balloon Works Firefly · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Feb 19, 1982 · N1527F · Substantial damage > The pilot was landing in a vacant lot when the light and variable wind shifted and started blowing the Balloon toward powerlines. Just prior to the wind shift, the Balloon was descending rapidly. Rather than make a hard landing, the pilot tried to "burn" his… - [NTSB CHI82FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA005.md): BLN Works FF-7 · Delaware, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 17, 1981 · N1247F · Substantial damage - [NTSB CHI80DEE57](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80DEE57.md): BLN Works FF-7 · Rock Island, IL · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Sep 30, 1980 · N1532B · Substantial damage - [NTSB FTW80DRJ43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80DRJ43.md): BLN Works FF-7 · Tyler, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Sep 20, 1980 · N4062L · Substantial damage - [NTSB NYC80;GM29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80%3BGM29.md): BLN Works FF-7 · Indiana, PA · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Aug 31, 1980 · N2127H · Substantial damage - [NTSB NYC80DNA23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80DNA23.md): BLN Works FF-7 · Edgartown, MA · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Aug 23, 1980 · N4039Q · Substantial damage - [NTSB DEN80DTE57](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80DTE57.md): BLN Works FF-7 · Elbert, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Jun 24, 1980 · N79CS · No damage - [NTSB DEN80DTE61](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80DTE61.md): Firefly 7 · Colo Springs, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Jun 21, 1980 · N40516 · No damage - [NTSB IAD80FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD80FA039.md): Balloon WKS AX-7 · Hurricane, WV · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Apr 20, 1980 · N40452 · Substantial damage - [NTSB MKC80FCQ12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC80FCQ12.md): Balloon WKS FF7 · Towanda, KS · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Apr 18, 1980 · N2033F · Substantial damage - [NTSB LAX80DUJ44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DUJ44.md): BLN Works FF-7 · Tucson, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Mar 21, 1980 · N40708 · No damage - [NTSB IAD80DKM11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD80DKM11.md): Balloon WKS AX-7 · East Bend, NC · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Mar 16, 1980 · N4051Y · Substantial damage - [NTSB MIA80DLD13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA80DLD13.md): Balloon WKS KS-7 · Plant City, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Nov 17, 1979 · N41JB · Minor damage - [NTSB FTW79FPD46](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FPD46.md): Firefly 7 · Mansfield, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Sep 22, 1979 · N40391 · Substantial damage - [NTSB MKC79FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FA049.md): Balloon WKS F'FLY7 · Clinton, MO · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Aug 12, 1979 · N2076F · No damage - [NTSB DEN79DTE68](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79DTE68.md): Balloon WKS Fire 7 · Firestone, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Jul 29, 1979 · N40458 · Substantial damage - [NTSB FTW79FPJ23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FPJ23.md): Balloon WKS FRFLY7 · Norman, OK · Accident · No injuries · Closed · May 31, 1979 · N2451H · Substantial damage - [NTSB MKC79DCG64](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79DCG64.md): Balloon WKS Firefy · Grain Valley, MO · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · May 26, 1979 · N2293H · No damage - [NTSB CHI79DEE07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79DEE07.md): Balloon WKS FF7 · Grayslake, IL · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Oct 24, 1978 · N2313H · Substantial damage - [NTSB CHI78DEC53](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78DEC53.md): Balloon WKS 7 · Northville, MI · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Sep 4, 1978 · N2027F · Substantial damage - [NTSB CHI78FEX37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEX37.md): Balloon WKS FF 7 · Fishers, IN · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Aug 29, 1978 · N2044H · Substantial damage - [NTSB IAD78FIA13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FIA13.md): Balloon WKS Frfy 7 · Catlett, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Jun 27, 1978 · N2348H · Substantial damage - [NTSB IAD78FIA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FIA10.md): Balloon WKS Fire 7 · Catlett, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Jun 27, 1978 · N27138 · Minor damage - [NTSB IAD78DIA11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78DIA11.md): Balloon WKS Frfy 7 · Casanova, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Jun 27, 1978 · N2091F · Substantial damage ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1050100')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=1050100&page=2 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.