Balloon Works FIREFLY 6B N27113

Summary

On 5 August 1989 at about 22:45 local time, a Balloon Works FIREFLY 6B registered N27113 was involved in an accident near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 August 1989 at 22:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Balloon Works FIREFLY 6B

Registration

N27113

Category

Balloon

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW89FA143

1 person died.

THE PILOT EXCEEDED THE TEMPERATURE LIMITATIONS OF THE BALLOON DURING THE CLIMB, WHICH RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE FRABRIC. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PREVIOUS HEAT DAMAGE TO THE FRABRIC, AND THE LACK OF MAINTENANCE BY THE PILOT/OWNER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PLT WAS PARTICIPATING IN THE U.S. NATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON CHAMPIONSHIP. VIDEO TAPES SHOWED THAT AT AN UNDETERMINED ALT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE BALLOON'S RATE OF ASCENT INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY. SUBSEQUENTLY, AT ABOUT 3000 FT AGL, FABRIC WAS OBSERVED TO BEGIN FLAPPING & THE BALLOON ENTERED A RAPID DESCENT WITH THE BURNER OPERATING. IT THEN IMPACTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. AN EXAM OF THE BALLOON REVEALED EVIDENCE OF OVERHEATING OF THE FABRIC. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT OVERHEATING HAD OCCURRED OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THE REQUIRED TEMP GAGE, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN MOUNTED IN THE TOP OF THE GONDOLA, WAS NOT FOUND.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.