# NTSB CHI85FEE02: Balloon Works Firefly AX-7, N40532, Somonauk, IL, June 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1985, 20:15 local (Jun 18, 1985, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Somonauk, IL
- Coordinates: 41.630847, -88.680198 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6308&lon=-88.6802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12876
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FEE02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12876/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FEE02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH POWERLINES DURING TAKEOFF. THE WIND WAS REPORTED AS 10-15 MPH WITH GUSTS. THE OPERATION WAS CANCELED DUE TO THE WIND AFTER 6 SUCCESSFUL LAUNCHES. THE LAST PLT WAS REPORTEDLY PRESSURED TO GO BY HIS PASS'G AND A GUST OF WIND BLEW THEM INTO THE WIRES. ONE PERSON WAS THROWN FROM THE BASKET DURING THE COLLISION AND SUFFERED BROKEN BONES IN HIS ARMS AND RIBS. THE OTHER 3 HAD JUMPED AS INSTRUCTED BY THE PLT AND ESCAPED INJURY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40532](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40532-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N 10090, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY AX-7 (FIREFLY AX)
- 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: 10090
- Airframe hours: 2466
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald W.  Pierce
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1985, 10 hours before
- Departed: SOMONAUK, IL
- Destination: C48, SANDWICH, IL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; flight hours: 215 total, 215 in this make and model, 199 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 260° at 11 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARR, 130 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 19850617026239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850617026239A), Jun 17, 1985: Balwks FIREFLY7, Somonauk, IL, Substantial damage. Struck powerlines during takeoff. Gusty wind lifted balloon into wires.

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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