# NTSB MKC82DA109: Balloon Works Firfly 7, N1506A, Ballwin, MO, June 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1982, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Ballwin, MO
- Coordinates: 38.599666, -90.560417 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5997&lon=-90.5604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69874
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82DA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69874/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA109

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING HIS ABILITY TO MAKE 3 LANDINGS TO MEET THE FLIGHT REQUIREMENTS FOR A PRIVATE PILOT RATING. THE FIRST 2 LANDING WERE WITHOUT INCIDENT. AFTER THE THIRD TAKEOFF, AN INCREASE IN THE WIND VELOCITY WAS ENCOUNTERED. FOR THE THIRD LANDING, AN OPEN FIELD WAS SELECTED. THE FIELD WAS DOWNWIND FROM A RIDGE AND A HIGH VOLTAGE POWER LINE. ACCORDING TO THE CREW MEMBERS, A SEVERE ROTOR OR VERTICAL WING CURL WAS ENCOUNTERED WHICH COLLAPSED THE SIDE OF THE ENVELOPE, ALMOST A THIRD OF ITS VOLUME. REPORTEDLY, THIS OCCURRED AFTER THE LANDING APPROACH WAS ESTABLISHED. THE STUDENT TRIED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOST HEAT AND LIFT BY USING BOTH THE MAIN AND THE AUXILLARY BURNERS. BUT WHILE STILL DESCENDING WITH POWER LINES AHEAD, THE PILOT ELECTED TO DEFLATE THE BALLOON FOR AN IMMEDIATE LANDING. HOWEVER, THE ENVELOPE DRAPED OVER THE LINES AND STARTED BURNING WHEN THE LINES ARCED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1506A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1506A-2011-07-13), registration cancelled 2011-07-13, S/N 11163 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIRFLY 7
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7) (registry code 1050100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 11163
- Airframe hours: 18
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Samco Enterprises
- Registered owner: Samco Enterprises
- Departed: EUREKA, MO
- Destination: EUREKA, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; student; medical: unknown; flight hours: 15 total, 15 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STL, 25 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 19820620023629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820620023629A), Jun 20, 1982: Balwks FIREFLY7, Ballwin, MO, Substantial damage. Balloon draped over wires during landing attempt,caught fire and burned. Adverse winds were factor.

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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