# NTSB CHI80DEE57: BLN Works FF-7, N1532B, Rock Island, IL, September 30, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 30, 1980
- Place: Rock Island, IL · ROCK ISLAND, IL
- Location: 41.4694° N, 90.5853° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rock Island, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4694&lon=-90.5853&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 128523
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI80DEE57
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80DEE57

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2755  80/9/30    ROCK ISLAND,IL      BLN WORKS FF-7      CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 43, 151
        TIME - 1000                    N1532B              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 76 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ROCK ISLAND,IL              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               TAKEOFF: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MISCELLANEOUS-PERSONNEL: GROUND CREWMAN
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - CREW COORDINATION-POOR
        REMARKS- WHILE INFLATING BLN,GND CREW LET INEXPERIENCED PSNL ASSUME DUTIES.BLN WAS RLSD BFR FULLY INFLATED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1532B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1532B-1989-06-08), registration cancelled 1989-06-08, S/N 10176 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BLN WORKS FF-7
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7) (registry code 1050100) (OpenAirDocs)
- 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 19800930067159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800930067159A), Sep 30, 1980: Balwks FIREFLY7, Rock Island, IL, Substantial damage. Hot air balloon was released before pilot was ready. Balloon hit tower which tore fabric and stopped ascent.

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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