# NTSB MKC84LA276: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N4066T, Cedar Rapids, IA, September 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1984, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Cedar Rapids, IA
- Coordinates: 41.979423, -91.749259 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9794&lon=-91.7493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33791
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84LA276
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33791/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA276

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wind information - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE BALLOON LANDED IN A FIELD AND AS WIND DRIFTED IT, THE ENVELOPE DRAPED OVER A PWR LINE. THE PLT SAID HIS BURNER MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE INACCURATE LANDING. ANOTHER ACCOUNT WAS TOLD LATER IN WHICH THE PLT SWITCHED TO AN EMPTY PROPANE TANK FOR LANDING. THE BURNER WAS TESTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND FUNCTIONED NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4066T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4066T-2012-11-19), registration cancelled 2012-11-19, S/N 10020, 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
- Airframe hours: 326
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roger L. Bentley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1984, 57 hours before
- Departed: CEDAR RAPIDS, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 175 total, 175 in this make and model, 151 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CID

## 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 19840911048089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840911048089A), Sep 11, 1984: Balwks FIREFLY7, Cedar Rapids, IA, Substantial damage. Switched to an empty tank while landing in a farm field. Was unable to apply heat to miss a powerline.

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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