# NTSB ATL94LA098: Balloon Works Firefly 7-B, N1511M, Burlington, NC, May 13, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1994, 18:52 local (22:52 UTC)
- Place: Burlington, NC
- Coordinates: 36.079284, -79.439567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0793&lon=-79.4396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3384
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3384/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA098

## Probable cause

INADVERTENT BURNER CONTROL INTERFERENCE BY THE PASSENGER. A FACTOR WAS THE PRESENCE OF ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION WIRES AT THE FORCED LANDING SITE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise
  - balloon equipment,burner system - switched off (cause)
  - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing
- On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT THE PASSENGER INADVERTENTLY LEANED ON THE THROTTLE CONTROL HANDLE, SHUTTING OFF GAS TO THE BURNER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RELIGHT THE BURNER, AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ADJACENT TO POWER LINES. THE ENVELOPE CONTACTED THE POWER LINES AND CAUGHT FIRE.

## Factual narrative

On May 13, 1994, at 1852 eastern daylight time, a Balloon Works Firefly 7-B, N1511M, collided with electric transmission wires during a forced landing in Burlington, North Carolina. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The balloon was substantially damaged. The balloon was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The flight originated at the Burlington-Alamance Airport at 1830.

An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration interviewed the pilot and inspected the balloon. He reported the following:  During cruise flight, the passenger inadvertently leaned on the throttle control handle, shutting off gas to the burner. The pilot attempted to relight the burner, but was unsuccessful. A forced landing was attempted in a field. The gondola touched down hard, adjacent to power lines, and the envelope contacted the wires. A fire to the envelope resulted, which was then extinguished.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1511M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1511M-1996-08-27), registration cancelled 1996-08-27, S/N F7B036 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 7-B (FIREFLY 7-)
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-B](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7-b) (registry code 10501A9) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F7B-036
- Airframe hours: 262
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carter, William A.
- Registered owner: Carter, William A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 1994, 5 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; medical: unknown; flight hours: 161 total, 161 in this make and model, 161 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO, 20 nm away

## 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 19940513015999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940513015999A), May 13, 1994: Balwks FIREFLY7B, Burlington, NC, Substantial damage. Passenger inadvertently leaned on control handle shutting off burner. Unable relight. Bag blew into wires landing.

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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