# NTSB MKC83LA228: Balloon Works Firefly 6, N2023F, Fort Madison, IA, September 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1983, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Fort Madison, IA
- Coordinates: 40.609596, -91.349624 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6096&lon=-91.3496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33496
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33496/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA228

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON WAS ONE OF 25 BALLOONS PARTICIPATING IN AN EVENT. THE PLTS HAD RECEIVED A COLLECTIVE BRIEFING FROM THE BALLOON MASTER AT 0630 WHO STATED THAT CURRENT WINDS AT NEARBY REPORTING FACILITIES WERE 8-10 KTS. THE 0600 OBSERVATION AT BURLINGTON, IA, LOCATED 25 NM NE OF THE TAKEOFF SITE, WAS 170 DEG AT 11 KTS. BY 0700 THE WINDS WERE 160 DEG AT 14 KTS, GUSTING TO 23 KTS. THE FLT DEPARTED AT 0845. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING FLT THE WINDS BECAME STRONGER & GUSTIER. DURING THE LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD THE BASKET TIPPED OVER & THE PLT FELL AGAINST A FUEL TANK BREAKING HIS LEG. THE PLT LATER RECOMMENDED THAT FUEL TANKS SHOULD BE PADDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2023F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2023F-2000-06-13), registration cancelled 2000-06-13, S/N 610 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 6
- Registry model: [Balloon Works FIREFLY 6](https://openairdocs.org/model/balloon-works-firefly-6) (registry code 1050101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 610
- Airframe hours: 149
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard A. Kerr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 27, 1983
- Departed: KEOKUK, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 53 total, 53 in this make and model, 46 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 15 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 19830924055279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830924055279A), Sep 24, 1983: Balwks FIREFLY6, Ft Madison, IA. Balloon touched down hard throwing pilot into fuel tank breaking his leg.

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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