# NTSB DFW05CA002: Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15, N2563W, Piedmont, OK, October 9, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 9, 2004, 09:20 local (14:20 UTC) - Place: Piedmont, OK - Coordinates: 35.533889, -97.646942 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5339&lon=-97.6469&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 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60308 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60308/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA002 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with power lines while landing. Contributing factors were the reduced visibility, fog, and low cloud ceiling. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (cause) - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - weather condition - other (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 79-hour lighter-than-air private pilot elected to land the balloon after encountering adverse weather condition about 15 minutes after departure. While landing on an open field with a downhill slope, the balloon was drifted towards a set of power lines. The pilot elected to initiate an emergency envelope deflation to avoid getting too close to the powerlines. After touchdown, the envelope of the balloon came in contact with the power lines. The pilot added that adverse weather consisted of visibilities of less than a mile, lowering ceilings and fog. ## Factual narrative On October 9, 2004, approximately 0920 central daylight time, a Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15 hot air balloon, N2563W, was destroyed upon collision with power lines while landing near Piedmont, Oklahoma. The balloon was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from a private residence near Piedmont, Oklahoma, approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. The 79-hour lighter-than-air pilot reported in Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that during the flight, he encountered fog, lowering clouds, and reduced visibility. The pilot elected to descent to an altitude slightly above the trees in order to remain clear of clouds. In view that the weather continued to worsen, the pilot elected to land on a downhill slope in a wheat field. As the balloon settled onto the ground, the basket "scooted down the hill a couple of times," getting closer to power lines. The pilot reported that he initiated an emergency envelope deflation. Subsequently, the envelope of the balloon came in contact with the power lines and draped over the top wire. Approximately 30 minutes later, a fire ensued and consumed the entire envelope and basket. At 0853, the automated surface observing system (ASOS) at the Wiley Post Airport (PWA), near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, reported wind from 360 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 1/2 statute mile, overcast ceiling at 200 feet, temperature 61 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 59 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.10 inches of Mercury. At 0945, the ASOS at PWA reported wind from 040 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 1/2 statute mile, ceiling overcast at 200 feet, temperature 61 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 61 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.11 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2563W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2563W-2018-01-12), registration cancelled 2018-01-12, S/N F8B-449 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Balloon Works Firefly 8B-15 - Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8b-15) (registry code 1050111) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: F8B-449 - Airframe hours: 318.7 - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 13, 2004, 72.1 hours before - Departed: Piedmont, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; seat: center; flight hours: 79 total, 70 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 8 knots - Visibility: 0.5 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: PWA, 8 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 20041009024119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041009024119A), Oct 9, 2004: Balwks FIREFLY8B15, Piedmont, OK, Destroyed. (-23) Flight originated at 0900 from a private sw of Piedmont, OK. Approximately 15 minutes into the flight, lowering clouds and fog reduced visibility… 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.