# NTSB CHI83LA310: Balloon Works Firefly 8-24, N1509W, Hamel, MN, July 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1983, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Hamel, MN
- Location: 45.0411° N, 93.5255° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hamel, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0411&lon=-93.5255&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA310
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA310

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - balloon equipment,burner system - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - fuel system - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING FLT, THE PLT USED FUEL FROM 2 OF 4 PROPANE TANKS, THEN SWITCHED TO THE 2ND 2 TANKS & STARTED A DESCENT. AT APRX 300 FT AGL, HE TRIED TO START THE BURNER, BUT COULD NOT GET A LIGHT BECAUSE THE PILOT LIGHT WAS OUT. HE ATTEMPTED TO MANUALLY RELIGHT THE BURNER WITH A FLINT SPARKER, BUT THE BURNER WOULD NOT RELIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE BALLOON STRUCK A METAL FENCE, BOUNCED & HIT A TRACTOR. FIVE OF THE PASSENGERS FELL OUT. THE PLT & ONE OTHER PASSENGER WERE CARRIED ANOTHER 200 YARDS INTO A SWAMPY AREA. AN EXAM OF THE FUEL SYS SHOWED THAT THE PILOT LIGHT VALVE WAS A TOGGLE TYPE SWITCH NEAR THE 'FIRE 2' VALVE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE COULD HAVE INADVERTENTLY STRUCK & SHUT OFF THE PILOT LIGHT VALVE AS HE ROTATED THE 'FIRE 2' VALVE. WHEN CHECKED, THE PILOT LIGHT & BURNER OPERATED NORMALLY. THE 'FIRE 2' WOULD ONLY LIGHT WITH THE FLINT SPARKER WHEN THE VALVE WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY OPENED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1509W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1509W-2012-06-27), registration cancelled 2012-06-27, S/N 11188, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 8-24 (FIREFLY 8-)
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8-24) (registry code 1050107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 5012
- Airframe hours: 110
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Balloon Ascentions Unlimited
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1983, 29 hours before
- Departed: EXCELSIOR, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 184 total, 2 in this make and model, 184 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19830713037029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830713037029A), Jul 13, 1983: Balwks FIREFLY824, Hamel, MN, Substantial damage. Accidently turned off pilot light while turning a valve. Unable relight for landing. Basket hit a tractor and fence

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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