# NTSB MKC83LA051: Balloon Works Firefly 7B, N1511Y, Indianola, IA, January 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1983, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Indianola, IA
- Coordinates: 41.359077, -93.560066 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3591&lon=-93.5601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33376
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33376/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA051

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - touch-and-go - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A TOUCH AND GO LANDING IN WIND THAT WAS FROM 010 DEG AT 7, GUSTING 9 KTS. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE BASKET WAS DRIFTING AND TILTED OVER SIDEWAYS. THE PASSENGER WEITHED 290 LBS AND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN HIS BALANCE. WHEN THE BASKET TILTED, HE FELL OUT. WITHOUT THE PASSENGER, THE BALLOON IMMEDIATELY BECAME AIRBORNE AGAIN WITH ONLY THE PILOT. THE PASSENGER TOLD THE PILOT THAT HE WAS ALRIGHT, BUT LATER, HIS ANKLE WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN BROKEN. THE PILOT LANDED AT THE NEXT AVAILABLE SITE WHERE THE BALLOON COULD BE RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1511Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1511Y), registered now, S/N F7B-025, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 7B
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-B](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-7-b) (registry code 10501A9) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: F7B-025
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: NONE unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Denise Bowles
- Registered owner: Edwin & Denise Bowles
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 9, 1982, 0 hours before
- Departed: CARLISLE, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 18 total, 18 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 7 knots, gusting 9
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830102000399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830102000399A), Jan 2, 1983: Balwks FIREFLY7B, Indianola, IA. Basket tilted on rough landing due to surface wind. Passenger fell out and broke his ankle. Failed to hold on.

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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