# NTSB CHI97LA207: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N1527B, Columbia, MO, July 5, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1997, 20:15 local (Jul 5, 1997, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, MO
- Coordinates: 39.019058, -92.299415 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0191&lon=-92.2994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA207

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to properly judge the landing approach.  The proximity of transmission wires was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- Fire, landing
  - balloon equipment,envelope - burned

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during an approach to land, the descent rate was to fast and that the balloon was not going to clear power lines. He said he '. . . valved to hit at envelope rather than the basket.'  The pilot reported that the occupants stayed in the basket until the ground crew confirmed that the envelope had been separated from the power lines. He then, 'noticed several area's of smoldering fire in the envelope, and put out fire with fire extinguishers.' After the accident, the pilot reported that he should have, 'waited longer for wind to go down or for a larger landing area.'  About 7 miles west at Columbia, MO, the wind was reported to be from 160 degrees at 6 knots.

## Factual narrative

On July 4, 1997, at 2015 central daylight time, a Balloon Works Firefly 7, N1527B, piloted by a commercial pilot, collided with an electrical power transmission line during landing.  The balloon envelope suffered substantial damage from resulting fire.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan.  The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries.  The flight departed Columbia, Missouri , 1945 central daylight time, for a local flight.

In a written statement by the pilot in command, he stated that during the final landing phase, "descent rate was to fast, was not going to clear power lines, valved to hit at envelope rather than the basket."  The pilot reported that the occupants stayed in the basket until the ground crew confirmed that the envelope had been separated from the power lines.  The pilot stated that he, "noticed several area's of smoldering fire in the envelope, and put out fire with fire extinguishers."  Subsequently after the accident, the pilot reported that he should have, "waited longer for wind to go down or for a larger landing area."  The wind, observed by the Columbia automated surface observation system, was indicated at six knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1527B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1527B-2005-09-30), registration cancelled 2005-09-30, S/N 10986, 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: 10986
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Denis & Ellen Sutter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 91 total, 85 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: COU, 7 nm away

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.