# NTSB GAA15CA157: Balloon Works FIREFLY8 - 24, N7148P, Provo, UT, July 2, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 2, 2015, 07:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Provo, UT - Coordinates: 40.245555, -111.664169 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2456&lon=-111.6642&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Initial climb: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250); [Initial climb: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91500 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91500/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91500 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA157 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) **This report was modified on 4/21/2016. Please see the public docket for this accident for more information.** The failure of the Balony balloon pilot to see and avoid the Balloon Works balloon during an ascent, which resulted in the basket of the Balony balloon colliding vertically with the envelope of the Balloon Works balloon. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=1050110), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome, aircraft 1; cases with it: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=1050110), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Balony Kubicek Spol Sro BB30Z, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=1370501), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot, aircraft 2; cases with it: [Balony Kubicek Spol Sro BB30Z, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=1370501), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=1050110), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Balony Kubicek Spol Sro BB30Z, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=1370501), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) **This report was modified on 4/21/2016. Please see the public docket for this accident for more information.** The pilots of the two balloons involved in a midair collision reported that they both began the takeoff ascent as part of a competition. The Balloon Works balloon pilot, who was lower than the Balony balloon during the ascent, reported that his envelope collided vertically with the basket of the Balony balloon, about 2,000 feet above the ground. The Balony balloon pilot reported that he saw the Balloon Works balloon below him and started to use both of the available burners, but was unable to climb fast enough. A witness to the accident reported that the Balony balloon pilot did not use the balloon's burners until after the collision. After the midair collision, the Balloon Works balloon began to descend about 700 feet per minute and impacted the ground. The pilot of the Balony Balloon reported that he landed without further incident. Both of the pilots reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with their balloons or burners that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident inspection of the Balony balloon revealed no damage to the balloon or the burner. A postaccident inspection of the Balloon Works balloon revealed substantial damage to the envelope. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) **This report was modified on 4/21/2016. Please see the public docket for this accident for more information.** The pilots of the two balloons involved in a midair collision reported that they both began the takeoff ascent as part of a competition. The Balloon Works balloon pilot, who was lower than the Balony balloon during the ascent, reported that his envelope collided vertically with the basket of the Balony balloon, about 2,000 feet above the ground. The Balony balloon pilot reported that he saw the Balloon Works balloon below him and started to use both of the available burners, but was unable to climb fast enough. A witness to the accident reported that the Balony balloon pilot did not use the balloon's burners until after the collision. After the midair collision, the Balloon Works balloon began to descend about 700 feet per minute and impacted the ground. The pilot of the Balony Balloon reported that he landed without further incident. Both of the pilots reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with their balloons or burners that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident inspection of the Balony balloon revealed no damage to the balloon or the burner. A postaccident inspection of the Balloon Works balloon revealed substantial damage to the envelope. According to FAA-H-8083-11A, Balloon Flying Handbook, "There is an unwritten rule in ballooning (not regulatory) that the balloon below has the right of way (due to lack of visibility above). Although the balloon below has the right of way, the higher balloon needs time to climb out of the way, if necessary. Pilots must maintain awareness of other balloons operating near them, particularly in crowded or rally situations." According to FAA-H-8083-11A, Balloon Flying Handbook, "All pilots must be alert to the potential for midair collision and near midair collisions. The general operating and flight rules in 14 CFR Part 91 set forth the concept of "See and Avoid." This concept requires that vigilance shall be maintained at all times, by each person operating an aircraft. Pilots should also keep in mind their responsibility for continuously maintaining a vigilant lookout regardless of the type of balloon being flown and the purpose of the flight." According to the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91.113(b), "When weather conditions permit, regardless of whether an operation is conducted under instrument flight rules or visual flight rules, vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft. When a rule of this section gives another aircraft the right-of-way, the pilot shall give way to that aircraft and may not pass over, under, or ahead of it unless well clear." ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N7148P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7148P-2019-02-01), registration cancelled 2019-02-01, S/N F8BS-01, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY8 - 24 - Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-8b) (registry code 1050110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: F8BS-01 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 238 - Engines: Burner Balloon Works F1 none - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Balloons West Inc - Registered owner: Balloons West Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon - Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 2015 - Departed: Provo, UT - Destination: Provo, UT ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N11UW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N11UW), registered now, S/N 757 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BALONY KUBICEK SPOL SRO BB30Z (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Balony Kubicek Spol Sro BB30Z](https://openairdocs.org/model/balony-kubicek-spol-sro-bb30z) (registry code 1370501) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: 757 - Year built: 2010 - Airframe hours: 4740 - Damage: No damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pivic Bruce W - Registered owner: Pivic Bruce W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Balloon - Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 2015 - Departed: Provo, UT - Destination: Provo, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N7148P; age 73; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 3,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N11UW; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review May 17, 2014; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 1,200 total, 60 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 3 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KPVU, 3 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 20150702009051A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150702009051A), Jul 2, 2015: Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B, Provo, UT, Destroyed. Mid air of two balloons, Balloon envelope sustained a tear and collapsed causing rapid decent and emergency landing. Balloon sustained damage due to pilot… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 11, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91500. 7.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430609&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Petition for Reconsideration (item 2, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439374&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Petition%20for%20Reconsideration-Master.PDF - Response to Petition for Reconsideration (item 3, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439373&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Response%20to%20Petition%20for%20Reconsideration-Master.PDF - Original Factual Reports (item 4, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439372&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Original%20Factual%20Reports-Master.PDF - Original Brief Reports (item 5, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439371&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Original%20Brief%20Reports-Master.PDF 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.