# NTSB MKC83LA140: Balloon Works Fire FLY 7, N1531N, Ellsworth, KS, July 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1983, 07:05 local (12:05 UTC)
- Place: Ellsworth, KS
- Coordinates: 38.73051, -98.220481 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7305&lon=-98.2205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33430
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33430/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA140

## 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
  - object - electrical tower(marked) (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH A RADIO TOWER DURING TAKEOFF. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 180 DEGREES AT 12-18 KTS. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THIS PLT RECEIVED WEATHER BRIEFING. THIS BALLOON WAS LAUNCHED CLOSER TO THE TOWER THAN ANY OF THE OTHER BALLOONS PARTICIPATING IN A RALLY. THE BALLOON WAS LAUNCHED ABOUT 386 FT FROM THE 175 FT TOWER AND DRIFTED INTO IT. WITNESSES STATED THAT THERE WERE NO ATTEMPTS BY THE PLT TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1531N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1531N-2013-01-31), registration cancelled 2013-01-31, S/N 10170, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIRE FLY 7
- 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: 10170
- Airframe hours: 26
- Engines: none T3-017 unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bruce A. Skach
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1983

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 405 total, 361 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RSL, 28 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 19830702075459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830702075459A), Jul 2, 1983: Balwks FIREFLY7, Ellsworth, KS, Substantial damage. Balloon drifted into radio tower after liftoff. Impact ruptured balloon and knocked top of tower off.

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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