# NTSB NYC88LA142: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N1502K, Red Creek, NY, May 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1988, 19:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Red Creek, NY
- Coordinates: 43.240352, -76.720008 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2404&lon=-76.7200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36149
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36149/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA142

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - crew/group briefing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - crew/group coordination - poor (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE THE PILOT WAS WAITING FOR LIFTOFF, THREE GROUND CREWMEN WERE SITTING ON THE BASKET HOLDING THE BALLOON DOWN. AS THE PILOT PREPARED FOR LIFTOFF, HE ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS READY FOR LIFTOFF AND UNTIED THE ROPE. AS THE BALLOON REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 6-10 FEET, ONE OF THE GROUND CREWMAN JUMPED OFF AND FELL RECEIVING SERIOUS INJURIES. THE GROUND CREWMAN WAS WAITING FOR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE PILOT. THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT THE GROUND CREWMAN WAS AWARE OF THE LIFTOFF. THE PILOT AND GROUND CREWMAN HAD NOT WORKED TOGETHER BEFORE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1502K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1502K-2018-01-02), registration cancelled 2018-01-02, S/N 11123, built 1982 (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: 11123
- Airframe hours: 538
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David J. Longeill
- Registered owner: David Longeill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 17, 1988, 3 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; flight hours: 257 total, 78 in this make and model, 201 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °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 19880514022829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880514022829A), May 14, 1988: Balwks FIREFLY7, Red Creek, NY. Ground crewman failed to get off basket until in the air then jumped and was injured. Failed to hear liftoff call.

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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