# NTSB CHI86LA018: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N4056L, Comstock Park, MI, October 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1985, 07:55 local (12:55 UTC)
- Place: Comstock Park, MI
- Coordinates: 43.039566, -85.670806 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0396&lon=-85.6708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA018

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather forecast - inaccurate, nws personnel (cause)
  - hazardous weather advisory - not possible, nws personnel (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT SHE RECEIVED WIND INFORMATION FROM A FLIGHT SERVICE STATION, THE NOAA AND ATIS APPROXIMATELY 1.5 HOURS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. ALL THESE SOURCES PREDICTED WINDS TO BE LESS THAN 7 KNOTS. WINDS WERE 'VERY LIGHT' DURING BALLOON INFLATION. THE LAUNCH WAS UNEVENTFUL UNTIL THE BALLOON ROSE ABOVE THE TREES WHERE THE VELOCITY OVER THE GROUND INCREASED TO AN EVENTUAL 17 KNOTS. THE CHECK PILOT THEN INSTRUCTED THE PILOT TO SKIM THE TOPS OF CORN IN A CORNFIELD TO SIMULATE A TOUCH AND GO LANDING. THE FIELD SHE SELECTED WAS ON THE FAR SIDE OF A SET OF POWER LINES AND A WOODED AREA. AS SHE CLEARED THE POWER LINES THE WIND SHIFTED TO A HEADWIND AND THE BALLOON DESCENDED INTO THE TREES IN SPITE OF A PROPANE BURN TO ARREST THE DESCENT. THE BALLOON ENVELOPE WAS DAMAGED BY THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4056L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4056L-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N 10107, built 1981 (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: A7090-5
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Mary Bobik
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; flight hours: 10 total, 10 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 14 knots, gusting 4
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °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 19851029054389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851029054389A), Oct 29, 1985: Balwks FIREFLY7, Comstock Park, MI, Substantial damage. While maneuvering for landing, balloons forward velocity carried it into the trees.

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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