# NTSB CHI84LA260: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N1537D, Geneva, IL, June 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1984, 20:00 local (Jun 24, 1984, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Geneva, IL
- Coordinates: 41.879173, -88.309707 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8792&lon=-88.3097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12668/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA260

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, descent - uncontrolled
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - motivation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE BALLOON DESCENDED IN AN AREA OF THUNDERSTORMS AND TURBULENCE AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE PLT SAID THE BALLOON 'CAVED IN' AND DESCENDED RAPIDLY. THE PLTS HUSBAND AND A PASSENGER REVEALED THAT THE BALLOON WAS 'VENTED' BY THE PLT TO LAND BEFORE REACHING A POWER STATION AFTER BEING 'SUCKED' UP TOWARD A CLOUD. TWO OF THE 16 BALLOONIST ABORTED THE FLT BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER. THE ACCIDENT PLT SAW CLOUD BUILDUPS BEFORE DEPARTURE BUT WAS INFORMED THEY WERE DISSAPATING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1537D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1537D-2012-06-27), registration cancelled 2012-06-27, S/N 10182, 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: 10182
- Airframe hours: 170
- Engines: NONE unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Barbara G. Hackleman
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1984, 6 hours before
- Departed: GENEVA, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; flight hours: 135 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 5 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 19840623026129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840623026129A), Jun 23, 1984: Balwks FIREFLY7, Gene, IL, Minor damage. Encountered sudden strong winds. Deflated balloon too fast causing a rapid descent into trees. Buildups in area.

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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