# NTSB ATL85LA204: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N1534C, Owensboro, KY, July 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1985, 19:40 local (Jul 3, 1985, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Owensboro, KY
- Coordinates: 37.749237, -87.110054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7492&lon=-87.1101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6822
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6822/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA204

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - wire,transmission
  - unsafe/hazardous condition warning - not issued, ground personnel (cause)

## Analysis

PILOT LAUNCHED BALLOON FROM COLLEGE CAMPUS WITH TWO PAX. FLEW FOR 35 MINUTES. DURING FLIGHT HE RADIOED GROUND CREW WHICH WAS AT LANDING SITE. DURING DESCENT PILOT SAW UTILITY WIRES PREVIOUSLY UNNOTICED. PARACHUTE WAS VENTD TO INCREASE DESCENT RATE AND AVOID WIRES. BALLOON LANDED HARD AND BOUNCED INTO WIRES. ELECTRICAL ARCING SEVERED BASKET CABLES DROPPING BASKET 20 FEET TO GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1534C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1534C-2001-09-19), registration cancelled 2001-09-19, S/N 10208 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 7
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7) (registry code 1050100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 10208
- Airframe hours: 195
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hugh B. Gilbert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1985, 10 hours before
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; flight hours: 208 total, 208 in this make and model, 191 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 8
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850702031389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850702031389A), Jul 2, 1985: Balwks FIREFLY7, Owensboro, KY, Substantial damage. Bounced on landing and support wire on balloon contacted utility wires. Basket was severed and dropped to ground.

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.

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