# NTSB NYC92LA010: Balloon Works Firefly 7, N4051L, Webster, NH, October 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1991, 09:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Webster, NH
- Location: 43.3290° N, 71.7179° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Webster, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3290&lon=-71.7179&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 minor, 2 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37091
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37091/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA010

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE GROUND CREWMAN (FROM ANOTHER BALLOON) TO RECOGNIZE THE HAZARDOUS CONDITION THAT EXISTED, WHEN THE BALLOON CAME IN CONTACT WITH A HIGH VOLTAGE POWER LINE DURING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING, THE PROXIMITY OF THE POWER LINE, FAILURE OF THE BALLOON PILOT TO REMAIN CLEAR OF THE POWER LINE, AND THE GROUND CREWMAN'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY COMMUNICATE WITH THE BALLOON PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - communications - inadequate, ground personnel (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified, ground personnel (cause)

## Analysis

WITH LOW FUEL, THE PLT MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LND IN A CONFINED AREA, NEXT TO A 34,500 VOLT PWR LINE.  THE PLT SAID A GND CREWMAN GRABBED THE BASKET PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, AND SHE WAS NOT AWARE OF HIS PRESENCE.  THE DEFLATING BALLOON ENVELOPE CONTACTED THE PWR LINE AND CURRENT FLOWED DOWN THE TEMPERATURE SENSING LINE BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE ENVELOPE AND THE BASKET.  THE GND CREWMAN WAS FATALLY ELECTROCUTED AND HIS 12 YEAR OLD SON RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.  THE GND CREWMAN WAS FROM ANOTHER BALLOON CREW WHICH HAD ALREADY LANDED; HE WAS NOT IN RADIO CONTACT WITH THE PLT OF N4051L

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4051L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4051L-1999-08-27), registration cancelled 1999-08-27, S/N 7946 (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: 7946
- Airframe hours: 445
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mary Ann Lappies
- Registered owner: Edward Lappies
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1991, 14 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; flight hours: 93 total, 93 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CON, 10 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 19911019047069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911019047069A), Oct 19, 1991: Balwks FIREFLY7, Webster, NH, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Low on fuel contacted powerline on landing. Ground man electrocuted grabbing basket. Temp probe line was conductor.

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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