# NTSB CHI91LA183: Balloon Works FIREFLY-7B, N3605G, Greenwood, MO, June 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1991, 20:30 local (Jun 9, 1991, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Greenwood, MO
- Coordinates: 38.849414, -94.339614 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8494&lon=-94.3396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15088
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15088/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA183

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE BRIEFING TO THE GROUND CREW BY THE PILOT, BECAUSE THE GROUND CREWMAN DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE INTENT AND OBJECTIVES OF THE MANEUVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, other
  - crew/group briefing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - crew/group briefing - not understood, ground personnel (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, ground personnel (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE REPOSITIONING THE BALLOON AFTER LANDING, SHE ASCENDED ABOUT 100 AGL TO CLEAR SOME TREES. SHE HEARD A VOICE BELOW SHOUT, 'I CAN'T HANG ON.'  LOOKING DOWN SHE SAW A GROUND CREW MEMBER HANGING ON A TETHER LINE.  HE LOST HIS GRIP AND FELL INTO SOME TREES FROM ABOUT 100 FEET AGL AND SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES. THE DECEASED GROUND CREW MEMBER'S WIFE HAD BEEN A PASSENGER WITH HER HUSBAND ON THE FLIGHT PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT. SHE RECALLED THERE WAS DISCUSSION ABOUT WALKING THE BALLOON THROUGH THE TREE LINE, BUT AT NO TIME HEARD ANY INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT NOT TOUCHING, PUSHING OR HOLDING THE BALLOON'S TOW LINE. SHE ALSO SAID SHE DID NOT BELIEVE THE BALLOON WOULD BE RISING TO AN ALTITUDE SUFFICIENT TO CLEAR THE TREE LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3605G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3605G-2003-11-17), registration cancelled 2003-11-17, S/N F7B-062, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY-7B
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-B](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7-b) (registry code 10501A9) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F7B-062
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Karmen W. Goosey
- Departed: GREENWOOD, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; medical: unknown; flight hours: 44 total, 32 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Dusk
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °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 19910608020399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910608020399A), Jun 8, 1991: Balwks FIREFLY7B, Greenwood, MO, Minor damage, 1 fatal. After landing decided to reposition balloon on other side of trees. Ground crewman failed release. Fell 100 feet.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.