# NTSB NYC88LA189: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N1534W, Saltsburg, PA, July 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1988, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Saltsburg, PA
- Coordinates: 40.480762, -79.440513 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4808&lon=-79.4405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36188
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36188/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA189

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - balloon equipment,envelope - ruptured
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT LAUNCHED ON A LOCAL BALLOON SIGHT-SEEING FLIGHT AT 1850 LOCAL TIME WITH THE FORECAST OF THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY TO COMMENCE IN THE AREA AFTER MIDNIGHT. AFTER 40 MINS OF SMOOTH FLT, THE TEMP DROPPED SHARPLY AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER TURBULENCE WAS ENCOUNTERED WHICH BEGAN TO TEAR PANELS IN THE ENVELOPE, RESULTING IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT INTO TREES. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE ENCOUNTERED DURING A FRONTAL PASSAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1534W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1534W-2014-09-08), registration cancelled 2014-09-08, S/N 10209 (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)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 10209
- Airframe hours: 272
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roy R. Weil/Mary M. Shaw
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1988, 21 hours before
- Departed: MURRYVILLE, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 885 total, 270 in this make and model, 818 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken

## 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 19880718027149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880718027149A), Jul 18, 1988: Balwks FIREFLY7, Saltsburg, PA, Substantial damage. Unforecast wind and turbulence caused balloon panels to rip off and an uncontrolled descent into trees.

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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