# NTSB CHI84LA018: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N1533N, Dorr, MI, October 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1983, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Dorr, MI
- Coordinates: 42.720729, -85.720954 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7207&lon=-85.7210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12476
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12476/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA018

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Miscellaneous/other, landing

## Analysis

DURING LANDING THE BASKET HIT A HILL RESULTING IN THE BASKET STOPPING SUDDENLY & EJECTING THE PLT & PASSENGERS FROM THE BASKET. THE PLT THOUGHT A PASSENGER WAS STILL IN THE BASKET SO SHE GRABBED THE VALVE LINE & HUNG ON AS THE BALLOON ROSE APPROXIMATELY 100 FT AGL. THE BALLOON BEGAN DESCENDING THROUGH TREES, & AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 30 FT AGL THE PLT LET GO OF THE VALVE LINE & FELL THROUGH THE TREES.

## 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: 197
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Douglas N. Mills
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 1983, 80 hours before
- Departed: CALEDONIA, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 383 total, 383 in this make and model, 46 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 13 nm away

## 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 19831009055239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831009055239A), Oct 9, 1983: Balwks FIREFLY7, Dorr, MI. Gondola struck a hill on landing dumped occupants. Pilot held on to valve line. Balloon rose. Pilot fell into trees

## 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 CHI82DA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA178), May 20, 1982: Balloon Works FIREFLY-7 (N1533N), Wyoming, MI, substantial 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.

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