# NTSB MKC79DA013: Barnes AX-7, N2033F, Hutchinson, KS, December 3, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: December 3, 1978
- Place: Hutchinson, KS · HUTCHINSON, KS
- Location: 38.0642° N, 97.9086° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hutchinson, KS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0642&lon=-97.9086&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 138517
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC79DA013
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79DA013

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4073   78/12/3   HUTCHINSON,KS       BARNES AX-7         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 27, 536
        TIME - 1300                    N2033F              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 23 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SUNFLOWER
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HUTCHINSON,KS               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - TIEDOWN LINES SNAPPED
        FACTOR(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LEAK/LEAKAGE
        REMARKS- BASKET TIED TO TRACTOR,WEBBING BROKE RELEASING BALLOON.GAS LEAKING FROM VALVE FROZE PLT'S FINGERS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2033F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BARNES AX-7
- Category: Balloon
- Engines: none
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Sunflower

## 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 19781203042479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781203042479A), Dec 3, 1978: Balwks FIREFLY7, Hutchinson,Ks, KS, Substantial damage. Basket tied to tractor,webbing broke releasing balloon. Gas leaking fom valve froze plt's fingers.

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.