# NTSB MKC84LA182: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N4070W, Overland Park, KS, June 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1984, 19:30 local (Jun 24, 1984, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Overland Park, KS
- Coordinates: 38.960063, -94.740814 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9601&lon=-94.7408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33717
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33717/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA182

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PRIOR TO A SIGHT-SEEING FLT, THE PLT ORBAINED A WX BRIEFING & RELEASED TEST BALLOONS TO CHECK THE WIND SPD & DRCTN. THE PREVAILING WIND WAS IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION AT ABOUT 8 KTS. THE PLT OF N4070W INITIATED HIS DEPARTURE FROM A SCHOOL YARD AFTER ANOTHER BALLOON TOOK OFF WITH NO DIFFICULTY. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE BALLOON LIFTED OFF & WAS PROCEEDING IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION WHEN IT ENCOUNTERED AN UNEXPECTED, UNFORCAST WIND GUST FROM THE WEST. HE STATED THAT THE WIND BLEW THE BALLOON TO THE ENE TOWARD AN ELECTRICAL POLE ABOUT 180 FT AWAY. HE WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR OVER THE POLE & VENTED THE BALLOON PRIOR TO IMPACT. THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE ELECTRICAL ARCING, THE SKIRT OF THE BALLOON IGNITED & THE OCCUPANTS RECEIVED MINOR BURNS FROM A SHOWER OF SPARKS. ONE BALLOON ATTACH CABLE WAS BURNED THRU.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4070W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4070W-2012-11-19), registration cancelled 2012-11-19, S/N 10057, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 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: 10057
- Airframe hours: 178
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: John R. Coleman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 1984, 4 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; medical: unknown; flight hours: 200 total, 200 in this make and model, 190 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OJC, 10 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 19840623027719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840623027719A), Jun 23, 1984: Eagleb AX7, Overland Park, KS, Substantial damage. Wind shift at liftoff drove balloon into contact with a powerpole and wires. Occupants received minor burns.

## Other investigations on N4070W (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA90LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA032), Nov 19, 1989: Balloon Works Firefly 7 (N4070W), Las Vegas, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT OF THE RAVEN RX7, N5710Y, FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CONTROL TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH THE FIREFLY 7, N4070W, AND BOTH PILOTS DID NOT MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM EACH OTHER DURING THE…

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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