# NTSB ATL87LA158: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N1511A, Kannapolis, NC, June 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1987, 07:50 local (11:50 UTC)
- Place: Kannapolis, NC
- Coordinates: 35.500656, -80.669998 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5007&lon=-80.6700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7444
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7444/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA158

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON PILOT WAS EXECUTING A LANDING APPROACH TO A CLEAR AREA. HE FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID ELECTRICAL POWER LINES ON THE NEAR SIDE OF THE FIELD AS HE MADE HIS APPROACH. THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH THE POWER LINES AND THE BASKET LANDED HARD. THE BALLOON REMAINED DRAPED OVER THE POWER LINES AFTER THE BASKET CAME TO A STOP. THE PILOT SUSTAINED SERIOUS ELECTRICAL SHOCK INJURIES AND ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS ELECTROCUTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1511A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1511A-2004-05-24), registration cancelled 2004-05-24, S/N F7-017, built 1982 (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)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F7-017
- Airframe hours: 187
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William S. Page
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 12, 1987, 8 hours before
- Departed: KANNAPOLIS, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 121 total, 121 in this make and model, 93 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19870606061349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870606061349A), Jun 6, 1987: Balwks FIREFLY7, Kannapolis, NC, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. The balloon hit powerlines during the approach to land. Trees partially obscured the wires.

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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