# NTSB CHI78DEE17: Barnes FFAX6, N1261F, Valley View, IL, December 3, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: December 3, 1977
- Place: Valley View, IL · VALLEY VIEW, IL
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 21, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143811
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI78DEE17
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78DEE17

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3985   77/12/3   VALLEY VIEW,IL      BARNES FFAX6        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 40, 56
        TIME - 1030                    N1261F              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 41 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          VALLEY VIEW,IL              VALLEY VIEW,IL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      7
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          320                                                       7
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- BALLOON STRUCK TREES,WIRES.SLOW RESPONSE FM COLD PROPANE TANK.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1261F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BARNES FFAX6
- Category: Balloon
- Engines: none
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19771203042809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19771203042809A), Dec 3, 1977: Balwks FIREFLY6, Valley View, IL, Substantial damage. Balloon struck trees,wires. Slow response fm cold propane tank.

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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