# NTSB NYC82FNC11: Firefly 7, N4041P, Winslow, ME, July 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1982, 07:20 local (11:20 UTC)
- Place: Winslow, ME
- Location: 44.5534° N, 69.6085° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Winslow, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5534&lon=-69.6085&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73072
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FNC11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73072/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FNC11

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - wire,transmission(marked)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE DESCENDING TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD, THE BALLOON BEGAN DRIFTING TOWARDS HIGH POWERLINES. IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID A COLLISION, THE PILOT FIRED THE BURNER APPROXIMATELY NINE TIMES, USING SHORT BLASTS OF THE BURNER. THE BALLOON FAILED TO GAIN ALTITUDE AND PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE POWERLINES, THE PILOT INSTRUCTED ONE OF THE PASSENGERS TO PULL THE RIP LINE. THE RIP CORD, WHEN PULLED, RELEASES THE HOT GASES FROM THE ENVELOPE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4041P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4041P-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N 7844, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: 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: 7844
- Airframe hours: 23
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wind Riders
- Registered owner: Wind Riders
- Departed: WINSLOW, ME
- Destination: WINSLOW, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private, commercial, flight instructor; medical: unknown; flight hours: 93 total, 24 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 149 °F

## 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 19820720030639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820720030639A), Jul 20, 1982: Balwks FIREFLY7, Winslow, ME, Substantial damage. Balloon collided with wires and caught fire during landing.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.