# NTSB FTW82DQG17: Balloon Works 7-B, N1524U, Masterson, TX, April 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1982, 09:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Masterson, TX
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71606
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DQG17
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71606/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DQG17

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING WEATHER OBSERVATIONS AND OBTAINING A WEATHER BRIEFING, THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (IP) BRIEFED THE CHASE CREW OF THE EXPECTED NORTHERLY TRACK. THE IP AND STUDENT TOOK OFF AT 0705 CST AND ASCENDED TO 1200 TO 15000 FT AGL AND BEGAN TRACKING NORTH-NORTHWEST. AFTER SEVERAL ANTENNAS WERE NOTED DOWNWIND, AN ASCENT WAS MADE TO 3200 FT AGL AND THE BALLOON MOVED EASTERLY. AFTER DESCENDING, IT TRACKED DUE NORTH. THE BALLOON PROCEEDED INTO AN AREA OF UNFAVORABLE TERRAIN WITH NO EAST-WEST ROADS. ALSO, THE SKY CONDITION BECAME HAZY AND THE IP BELIEVED THE CHASE CREW WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY FOLLOWING; THEREFORE, THEY CONTINUED FOR A RECOVERY NEAR A MAJOR ROAD. MEANWHILE, THE WIND PICKED UP TO 20 MPH. AT ABOUT 0920, A LANDING WAS MADE NEAR A HIGHWAY IN AN AREA COVERED WITH MESQUITE. DURING THE LANDING, CONTACT WAS MADE WITH SEVERAL OF THE MESQUITE, A FENCE, AND THE GROUND. THE ENVELOPE ALSO BRUSHED AGAINST A POWER LINE. THE STUDENT WAS INJURED DURING THE LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1524U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1524U), registered now, S/N 10311 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS 7-B
- 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: 10311
- Airframe hours: 43
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Don Elwell, Jr.
- Registered owner: Don Elwell, Jr.
- Departed: AMARILLO, TX
- Destination: AMARILLO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 43 total, 43 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 124 °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 19820403012769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820403012769A), Apr 3, 1982: Balwks FIREFLY7, Masterton, TX, Minor damage. High surface wind for landing a balloon. Struck mesquite trees and powerline. Student seriously injured.

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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