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NTSB investigations: Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-B

15 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-B. 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.

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Cases per year

19812026

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Query with SQL

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 ('10501A9')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

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 ('10501A9'))
  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 ('10501A9'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run 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 FTW98LA231Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7-B · Longmont, COThe pilot's failure to properly position his foot for a high wind landing. Factors were high winds and windshear.May 17, 1998 · N1527M · No damage NTSB ATL94LA098Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7-B · Burlington, NCInadvertent burner control interference by the passenger. A factor was the presence of electric transmission wires at the forced landing site.May 13, 1994 · N1511M · Substantial damage NTSB CHI91LA183Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works FIREFLY-7B · Greenwood, MOThe inadequate briefing to the ground crew by the pilot, because the ground crewman did not understand the intent and objectives of the maneuver.Jun 9, 1991 · N3605G · Minor damage NTSB LAX90LA343Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7B · Moorpark, CAThe pilot's failure to arrest descent for landing.Jun 17, 1990 · N1523C · No damage NTSB ATL90LA104Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works 7B · Lexington, KYThe overload failure of several jumper cords. Factor(s) were inadvertent encounter with unfavorable wind (dust devil). Subsequently, the pilot was unable to control the rate of descent.Apr 22, 1990 · N1512T · Substantial damage NTSB DEN88LA004Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7-B · Rio Rancho, NMThe plt rptd that she had vented the Balloon to land. She said it takes both of her hands to open the vent and hold it open. 'When the Balloon hit the ground the burner went on by itself, wide open. The envelope was swinging from the contact of the basket…Oct 5, 1987 · N15260 · Substantial damage NTSB FTW87LA073Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7-B · Broken Arrow, OKThe Balloon drifted into power lines just after liftoff. The pilot stated he was hooking up a new temperature gauge and did not notice that the Balloon was descending.Mar 5, 1987 · N15253 · Substantial damage NTSB MKC86FA117Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7-B · Lee'S Summit, MOThe PIC stated that prior to liftoff, the Balloon was gyrating and instructed the gnd crew member to steady the Balloon by holding the rope. Just as the Balloon became steady the PIC initiated his takeoff. The PIC was aware of turbulence in the takeoff site…May 25, 1986 · N15369 · Substantial damage NTSB MIA85FA143Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7B · Orlando, FLThe Balloon was destroyed by an explosion and subsequent fire during touchdown in an open fld. The plt and witnesses stated the gondola touched down with a 'jolt' and tilted in the direction of travel. Shortly thereafter, a popping noise was heard followed by…Apr 7, 1985 · N36938 · Destroyed NTSB CHI84LA244Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBarnes AX-7B · Lake Orion, MIA 74 year old passenger in a balloon lost her footing during landing and fell on her arm. Later examination revealed that her arm was broken. The plt and another passenger were not injured. The plt reported that the passengers had been briefed on landing and…Jun 16, 1984 · N37643 · No damage NTSB MKC83LA053Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Fire FLY 7-B · Greenwood, MOThe student plt/owner was being instructed by a free Balloon plt with a commercial certificate. According to the commercial plt, the Balloon had been inflated, but the air was still not hot enough for flt, and the wind blowing over the envelope created a…Jan 8, 1983 · N1510D · Substantial damage NTSB MKC83LA051Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7B · Indianola, IAThe pilot elected to make a touch and go landing in wind that was from 010 deg at 7, gusting 9 KTS. During touchdown, the basket was drifting and tilted over sideways. The passenger weithed 290 lbs and was unable to maintain his balance. When the basket…Jan 2, 1983 · N1511Y · No damage NTSB FTW82DQG17Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportBalloon Works 7-B · Masterson, TXAfter making weather observations and obtaining a weather briefing, the instructor pilot (ip) briefed the chase crew of the expected northerly track. The ip and student took off at 0705 CST and ascended to 1200 to 15000 ft AGL and began tracking…Apr 3, 1982 · N1524U · Minor damage NTSB CHI81FEK31Accident · No injuriesClosedBLN Works FF-7B · Johnstown, OHSep 27, 1981 · N1517P · Substantial damage NTSB CHI81DEV17Accident · No injuriesClosedBalloon WKS 7B · Normal, ILMay 2, 1981 · N15443 · Substantial damage