# NTSB CHI84LA227: Barnes Firefly 7, N15271, Flint, MI, June 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1984, 20:40 local (Jun 2, 1984, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Flint, MI
- Location: 43.0125° N, 83.6875° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Flint, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0125&lon=-83.6875&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12641
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12641/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA227

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - balloon equipment,envelope - not dumped (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE BALLOONIST STATED THAT THE WIND BECAME STRONGER DURING HER FLT AND EVEN THOUGH SHE SELECTED A LANDING AREA ADEQUATE FOR A HIGH WIND LANDING THE BALLOON WAS DRAGGED ABOUT 200 FT UNTIL THE ENVELOPE BECAME ENTANGLED IN TREES. THE FLT LASTED ABOUT 1 HOUR AND 10 MINUTES. THE PLT STATED THAT THE WIND AT TOUCHDOWN WAS 10 TO 20 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15271](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15271-2012-08-07), registration cancelled 2012-08-07, S/N 10147, built 1980 (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)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 10147
- Airframe hours: 183
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sherry Gallaher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1984, 1 hours before
- Departed: DAVISON, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; flight hours: 28 total, 10 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 14 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FNT

## 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 19840601020439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840601020439A), Jun 1, 1984: Balwks FIREFLY7, Flint, MI, Substantial damage. Balloon was blown into trees during landing in 10 to 20 knot winds.

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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