NTSB investigations: Balloon Works FIREFLY 7
24 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Balloon Works FIREFLY 7, where the first occurrence was “In flight collision with object”. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.
Cases per year
| 1982 | 6 |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 4 |
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 2 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1050100')
AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 220))
ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1050100')
AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 220))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESCRun it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB CHI08CA017Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · East Hampstead, NHThe pilot's excessive descent rate on approach, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing factors were the adverse winds encountered during the flight, and the presence of the trees and power lines near the landing area.NTSB CHI97LA207Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Columbia, MOthe pilot's failure to properly judge the landing approach. The proximity of transmission wires was a related factor.NTSB FTW96LA361Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Rio Rancho, NMthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines. The variable wind condition was a related factor.NTSB LAX93LA250Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Salida, CAthe pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point during the attempted landing. A factor in the accident was the unfavorable wind conditions for the balloon landing.NTSB NYC92LA010Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Webster, NHFailure 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…NTSB LAX90LA041Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBarnes AX-7 · Sun City, AZInadequate visual lookout by the student pilot (his failure to see & avoid). The transmission line and the student's lack of familiarity with the area were related factors.NTSB MKC89LA175Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works FIREFLY-7 · Indianola, IAFailure of the pilot to maintain clearance from the tv tower due to improper in-flight planning/decision. Unfavorable wind/windshear and the tall tower were contributing factors.NTSB DEN89LA005Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Albuquerque, NMThe commercial Balloon plt and one pax were participating in a Balloon fiesta. The acft took off from Albuquerque, on a local flight in light winds. At altitude, the Balloon encountered easterly winds that carried the Balloon southwest of Albuquerque, where a…NTSB ATL87LA158Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Kannapolis, NCThe Balloon pilot was executing a landing approach to a clear area. He failed to see and avoid electrical power lines on the near side of the field as he made his approach. The Balloon collided with the power lines and the basket landed hard. The Balloon…NTSB FTW87LA020Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBarnes Firefly 7 · Holden, LAA commercially rated pilot on an instructional flight was attempting a touch and go landing in the median of hiway I-12 1 mile east of Holden, LA. The pilot failed to see and avoid some power lines substantially damaging the balloon. The pilot and student…NTSB DEN86LA263Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBarnes AX-7 · Durango, COWhile flying low level inside a river gorge at 200-300 feet above the water, the balloon impacted a power line and fell into the river.NTSB BFO86LA046Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works FF-7 · Roanoke, VAThe hot air Balloon was involved in an air show flight event. While enroute to the airport the plt stated that he encountered winds that forced him to land short of the arpt. During the lndg apch he became distracted by spectators on the ground who were in…NTSB DEN85FA196Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Brighton, COA hot air Balloon owned and flown by the plt collided with electrical power lines during an attempted landing. The basket of the Balloon caught fire upon contact with the wires. The occupants leaped from the burning basket sustaining serious injuries. The…NTSB ATL85LA204Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Owensboro, KYPilot launched Balloon from college campus with two pax. Flew for 35 minutes. During flight he radioed ground crew which was at landing site. During descent pilot saw utility wires previously unnoticed. Parachute was ventd to increase descent rate and avoid…NTSB FTW83FA364Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly AX-7 · Fort Worth, TXThe intended landing area was a parking lot. Adjacent to the lot was a one-story building on top of which a tv antenna about 20 ft above the roof top. In an effort to clear the antenna during the descent to the parking lot, the pltwas not aware of a set of…NTSB CHI83LA318Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBarnes AX-7 · Utica, MIThe student pilot made a delayed decision to land and landed within a few ft of wires without seeing them. The ground crew tried to hold him but the balloon still had too much lift. The student then saw the wires and tried to go over thembut the collision…NTSB MKC83LA140Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Fire FLY 7 · Ellsworth, KSThe Balloon collided with a radio tower during takeoff. The wind was reported to be from 180 degrees at 12-18 KTS. There is no evidence that this plt received weather briefing. This Balloon was launched closer to the tower than any of the other balloons…NTSB CHI83LA265Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Flint, MIAfter takeoff, the plt leveled the Balloon, and a short time later, he collapsed to the floor of the gondola & had difficulty breathing. The Balloon began descending. Subsequently, it hit the porch of a house & was damaged. The plt died from acute myocardial…NTSB FTW83LA005Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Albuquerque, NMThe Balloon collided with trees while landing in a zoo parking lot. The weather was VMC and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that in attempting to land next to the Balloon they were chasing in a hound and hare game, he allowed the gondola to drag…NTSB NYC82FNC11Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportFirefly 7 · Winslow, MEWhile 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…NTSB ATL82DA189Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Greenville, SCThe ballon with three persons on board dropped too low in a target hitting contest. The pilot then decided he could not climb above wires so he vented the Balloon in an attempt to land short. The bag contacted the wires and burned. The pilot stated he…NTSB CHI82DA178Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBalloon Works FIREFLY-7 · Wyoming, MIThe pilot was attempting to takeoff from a parking lot. He stated that when the Balloon was about 15 feet from the ground a gust of wind pushed the Balloon down into some trees and an apartment house.NTSB CHI82DA076Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportBarnes FIREFLY-7 · Cincinnati, OHPilot stated that after a normal inflation, before the balloon was hot enough to sustain flight, a gust of wind blew it into a school building. After striking the building, the balloon was dragged through a line of trees.NTSB LAX82FUJ28Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly · Phoenix, AZThe pilot was landing in a vacant lot when the light and variable wind shifted and started blowing the Balloon toward powerlines. Just prior to the wind shift, the Balloon was descending rapidly. Rather than make a hard landing, the pilot tried to "burn" his…