# NTSB CHI82DA178: Balloon Works FIREFLY-7, N1533N, Wyoming, MI, May 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1982, 19:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Wyoming, MI
- Coordinates: 42.949295, -85.610099 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9493&lon=-85.6101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73100
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73100/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA178

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM A PARKING LOT. HE STATED THAT WHEN THE BALLOON WAS ABOUT 15 FEET FROM THE GROUND A GUST OF WIND PUSHED THE BALLOON DOWN INTO SOME TREES AND AN APARTMENT HOUSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1533N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1533N-2012-08-07), registration cancelled 2012-08-07, S/N 10204, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY-7
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7) (registry code 1050100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 10204
- Airframe hours: 117
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Schelde Inc.
- Registered owner: Schelde Inc.
- Departed: WYOMING, MI
- Destination: WYOMING, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 1,059 total, 1,059 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 163 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820520018039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820520018039A), May 20, 1982: Balwks FIREFLY7, Wyoming, MI, Substantial damage. During takeoff from parking lot, a gust of wind pushed balloon into collision with a house.

## Other investigations on N1533N (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI84LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA018), Oct 9, 1983: Balloon Works Firefly 7 (N1533N), Dorr, MI, no damage

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.