# NTSB CEN12CA279: Balloon Works Firefly 7-15, N9079S, Hallsville, MO, May 6, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 5, 2012, 19:30 local (May 6, 2012, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Hallsville, MO - Coordinates: 39.185554, -92.462776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1856&lon=-92.4628&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 83571 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA279 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83571/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83571 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA279 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-15, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=1050118), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1050118), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=1050118), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-15, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1050118), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the slow descent from about 300 feet, the hot air balloon hit power lines. The pilot stated that, as the balloon descended, the wind shifted, and the forward speed of the balloon was reduced. Instead of continuing past the power lines, the gondola of the balloon descended between the power lines, and the envelope of the balloon became entangled in the wires. A postimpact fire ensued, resulting in substantial damage to the envelope and gondola. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the balloon prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative During the slow descent from approximately 300 feet, the hot air balloon hit powerlines. The pilot stated that as the balloon descended, the winds shifted and the forward speed of the balloon was reduced. Instead of continuing past the powerlines, the gondola of the balloon descended between the powerlines and the envelope of the balloon became entangled in the wires. A post impact fire ensued, resulting in substantial damage of the envelope and gondola. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the balloon prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9079S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9079S-2012-06-18), registration cancelled 2012-06-18, S/N F7-751, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 7-15 - Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7-15) (registry code 1050118) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: F7-751 - Airframe hours: 168 - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 28, 2011 - Departed: Hallsville, MO - Destination: Hallsville, MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; last flight review August 17, 2011; flight hours: 52 total, 52 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: KCOU ## 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 20120505007689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120505007689A), May 5, 2012: Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-15, Hallsville, MO, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that he saw the electric power pole and wires during his approach to the chosen landing site and thought he had a good angle of descent that… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83571. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368139&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- 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.