# NTSB LAX82FUJ28: Balloon Works Firefly, N1527F, Phoenix, AZ, February 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1982, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Location: 33.4484° N, 112.0740° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Phoenix, AZ, within about 13 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4484&lon=-112.0740&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FUJ28
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72212/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FUJ28

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Fire/explosion, landing
  - balloon equipment,suspension system/cables - burned (contributing factor)
  - balloon equipment,basket - separation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS LANDING IN A VACANT LOT WHEN THE LIGHT AND VARIABLE WIND SHIFTED AND STARTED BLOWING THE BALLOON TOWARD POWERLINES. JUST PRIOR TO THE WIND SHIFT, THE BALLOON WAS DESCENDING RAPIDLY. RATHER THAN MAKE A HARD LANDING, THE PILOT TRIED TO "BURN" HIS WAY OUT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB FAST ENOUGH TO MISS THE WIRES. AFTER CONTACTING THE WIRES, THE SUSPENSION CABLES FROM THE BASKET TO THE ENVELOPE WERE BURNED IN TWO. THE BASKET AND OCCUPANTS FELL ABOUT 14 FT TO THE GROUND. ALSO, A POWERLINE WAS SEVERED BY ARCING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1527F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1527F-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 11029, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY
- 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
- Serial number: 11041
- Airframe hours: 38
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: C. G. Catallo
- Registered owner: C. G. Catallo
- Departed: PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: PHOENIX, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 101 total, 101 in this make and model, 85 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 149 °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 19820219002249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820219002249A), Feb 19, 1982: Balwks FIREFLY7, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. Encountered wind shift and downdraft landing, tried to abot landing, struck power line. Basket fell 74 feet.

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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