# NTSB MKC86FA117: Balloon Works Firefly 7-B, N15369, Lee'S Summit, MO, May 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1986, 18:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Lee'S Summit, MO
- Coordinates: 38.909564, -94.380477 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9096&lon=-94.3805&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): 34069
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86FA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34069/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FA117

## 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
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PIC STATED THAT PRIOR TO LIFTOFF, THE BALLOON WAS GYRATING AND INSTRUCTED THE GND CREW MEMBER TO STEADY THE BALLOON BY HOLDING THE ROPE. JUST AS THE BALLOON BECAME STEADY THE PIC INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF. THE PIC WAS AWARE OF TURBULENCE IN THE TAKEOFF SITE PRIOR TO LIFTOFF AND AGAIN DURING THE INITIAL LIFTOFF FM THE GROUND. THE BALLOON DRIFTED RAPIDLY EAST SOUTHEAST TOWARDS HIGH VOLTAGE POWERLINES. THE BALLOON ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE IN THE FORM OF DOWNDRAFTS. THE PIC DID NOT ABORT THE TAKEOFF BUT CONTINUED FIRING THE BURNER TO TRY TO OUTCLIMB THE EFFECTS OF THE TURBULENCE. NO TEST BALLOON WAS RELEASED FM THE TAKEOFF SITE TO ASSESS WIND CONDITIONS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15369](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15369-2012-08-07), registration cancelled 2012-08-07, S/N 10238, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 7-B (FIREFLY 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: 10238
- Airframe hours: 240
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Don R. Furr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1985, 37 hours before
- Departed: LEE'S SUMMIT, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; flight hours: 247 total, 233 in this make and model, 233 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKC, 15 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 19860525019479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860525019479A), May 25, 1986: Balwks FIREFLY7B, Lees Summit, MO, Substantial damage. High wind takeoff. Drifted fast towards powerline. Tried climb but encountered down drafts. No test balloon used.

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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