# NTSB MKC83LA053: Balloon Works Fire FLY 7-B, N1510D, Greenwood, MO, January 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1983, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Greenwood, MO
- Coordinates: 38.850704, -94.340942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8507&lon=-94.3409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33378
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33378/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA053

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - supervision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, dual student (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT/OWNER WAS BEING INSTRUCTED BY A FREE BALLOON PLT WITH A COMMERCIAL CERTIFICATE. ACCORDING TO THE COMMERCIAL PLT, THE BALLOON HAD BEEN INFLATED, BUT THE AIR WAS STILL NOT HOT ENOUGH FOR FLT, AND THE WIND BLOWING OVER THE ENVELOPE CREATED A FALSE LIFT. THE GROUND CREW PREMATURELY RELEASED THE GROUND LINES & THE BALLOON DRIFTED TOWARD TREES APRX 200 YARDS AWAY. THE BALLOON ROSE APRX 20 FT THEN BEGAN DESCENDING. THE STUDENT WAS INSTRUCTED TO KEEP THE BURNER OPERATING; HOWEVER, A TREE LIMB CAME INTO THE SIDE OF THE BALLOON & SNAGGED A LOAD LINE. THE BALLOON THEN DRIFTED INTO 3 MORE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1510D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1510D-2018-03-09), registration cancelled 2018-03-09, S/N F7B-012, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIRE FLY 7-B (FIRE FLY 7)
- 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: B7142
- Airframe hours: 7
- Engines: NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dale E. Cushing
- Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 1982, 7 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 273 total, 273 in this make and model, 219 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830108000539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830108000539A), Jan 8, 1983: Balwks FIREFLY7B, Greenwood, MO, Substantial damage. Ground crew released mooring lines prematurely and balloon drifted into trees causing accident.

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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