# NTSB FTW86LPA20: Balloon Works Fire FLY 7, N2269H, Keller, TX, February 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1986, 08:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Keller, TX
- Coordinates: 32.929126, -97.220336 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9291&lon=-97.2203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22104
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LPA20
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22104/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LPA20

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planned approach - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE BALLOON DESCENDED INTO A POWER LINE DURING LANDING AT A MOBILE HOME PARK. THE PLT SAID THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE WIRES UNTIL THEY WERE SILHOUETTED AGAINST THE HORIZON. HE THEN TRIED TO EXPEDITE THE VENTING OF HOT AIR FROM THE ENVELOPE TO GO UNDER THE WIRES. THE ENVELOPE WAS TOO CLOSE AND AS CONTACT OCCURRED THE BASKET FELL TO THE GROUND. THE BALLOON ENVELOPE WAS MELTED AND TORN BY THE COLLISION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2269H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIRE FLY 7
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 7759
- Airframe hours: 407
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert B. Grammer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1985, 50 hours before
- Departed: FORTH WORTH, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; flight hours: 520 total, 520 in this make and model, 507 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point -0 °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 19860223003809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860223003809A), Feb 23, 1986: Balwks FIREFLY7, Keller, TX, Substantial damage. Struck powerlines during landing. Pilot did not see wires until they were silhouetted against the horizon.

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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