# NTSB FTW89FA143: Balloon Works Firefly 6B, N27113, Baton Rouge, LA, August 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1989, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Baton Rouge, LA
- Location: 30.4507° N, 91.1546° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Baton Rouge, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4507&lon=-91.1546&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22783
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89FA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22783/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA143

## Probable cause

THE PILOT EXCEEDED THE TEMPERATURE LIMITATIONS OF THE BALLOON DURING THE CLIMB, WHICH RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE FRABRIC.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE PREVIOUS HEAT DAMAGE TO THE FRABRIC,  AND THE LACK OF MAINTENANCE BY THE PILOT/OWNER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - balloon equipment,envelope - previous damage (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - balloon equipment,envelope - failure,partial (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PARTICIPATING IN THE U.S. NATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON CHAMPIONSHIP. VIDEO TAPES SHOWED THAT AT AN UNDETERMINED ALT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE BALLOON'S RATE OF ASCENT INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY. SUBSEQUENTLY, AT ABOUT 3000 FT AGL, FABRIC WAS OBSERVED TO BEGIN FLAPPING & THE BALLOON ENTERED A RAPID DESCENT WITH THE BURNER OPERATING. IT THEN IMPACTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. AN EXAM OF THE BALLOON REVEALED EVIDENCE OF OVERHEATING OF THE FABRIC. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT OVERHEATING HAD OCCURRED OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THE REQUIRED TEMP GAGE, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN MOUNTED IN THE TOP OF THE GONDOLA, WAS NOT FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27113](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27113-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 6670 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Balloon Works FIREFLY 6B
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 6B](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-6b) (registry code 1050103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 6670
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert A Mock
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1988

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 7,730 total, 180 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BTR

## 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 19890805027299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890805027299A), Aug 5, 1989: Balwks FIREFLY6B, Baton Rouge, LA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Balloon ascended at high rate, followed by high rate of descent and streamer. Impacted at high rate of descent.

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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