# NTSB ATL85LLT07: Barnes FF-7, N4049Y, Franklin, TN, May 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1985, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, TN
- Coordinates: 35.990325, -86.779815 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9903&lon=-86.7798&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): 6887
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LLT07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6887/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LLT07

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT NOTICED A POWER LINE EXTENDING ACROSS THE FIELD HE HAD SELECTED FOR LANDING AT WHICH TIME AIR WAS RELEASED FROM THE ENVELOPE FOR AN EMERGENCY DESCENT. AS THE BASKET TOUCHED DOWN, THE ENVELOPE DRIFTED INTO THE LINE. A PASSENGER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURIED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHOCK FROM THE POWER LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4049Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4049Y-2013-03-07), registration cancelled 2013-03-07, S/N 7926, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BARNES FF-7
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7) (registry code 1050100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 7926
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Eastland
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1985, 20 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; flight hours: 795 total, 795 in this make and model, 785 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850508022359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850508022359A), May 8, 1985: Balwks FIREFLY7, Franklin, TN, Minor damage. Saw wire across field and released air for emergency descent. Envelope drifted into powerline. Passenger shocked.

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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