# NTSB FTW79FPD46: Firefly 7, N40391, Mansfield, TX, September 22, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: September 22, 1979
- Place: Mansfield, TX · MANSFIELD, TX
- Location: 32.5632° N, 97.1417° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mansfield, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5632&lon=-97.1417&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 13, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW79FPD46
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FPD46

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2551  79/9/22    MANSFIELD,TX        FIREFLY 7           CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 29, 20 TOTAL
        TIME - 1015                    N40391              PX-  0  1  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MANSFIELD,TX                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           UNDERSHOOT                                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- COLLIDED WITH PWR LINES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40391](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40391-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N 7825, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: 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, amateur-built
- Engines: none
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19790922027359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790922027359A), Sep 22, 1979: Balwks FIREFLY7, Mansfield, TX, Minor damage. Student balloon pilot struck wires on approach to landing. Passengers were being carried.

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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