# NTSB CHI82DA076: Barnes FIREFLY-7, N1522W, Cincinnati, OH, February 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 27, 1982, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Cincinnati, OH
- Coordinates: 39.070983, -84.389411 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0710&lon=-84.3894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70251
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70251/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA076

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - building(nonresidential)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

PILOT STATED THAT AFTER A NORMAL INFLATION, BEFORE THE BALLOON WAS HOT ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN FLIGHT, A GUST OF WIND BLEW IT INTO A SCHOOL BUILDING. AFTER STRIKING THE BUILDING, THE BALLOON WAS DRAGGED THROUGH A LINE OF TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1522W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1522W-1991-08-21), registration cancelled 1991-08-21, S/N 11114 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BARNES FIREFLY-7
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7) (registry code 1050100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 11114
- Airframe hours: 15
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Eldridge L. Fancher
- Registered owner: Eldridge L. Fancher
- Departed: CINCINNATI, OH
- Destination: CINCINNATI, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 160 total, 154 in this make and model, 144 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Temperature: 129 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LUK

## 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 19820227002009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820227002009A), Feb 27, 1982: Balwks FIREFLY7, Cincinnati, OH, Substantial damage. During balloon inflation, wind gust lifted balloon and blew it into a school building and dragged it through trees.

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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