Balloon Works FIREFLY 7 N7414U

Summary

On 24 August 1996 at about 14:45 local time, a Balloon Works FIREFLY 7 registered N7414U was involved in an accident near Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 August 1996 at 14:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

35.2697, -106.6591

Aircraft

Balloon Works FIREFLY 7

Registration

N7414U

Category

Balloon

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96LA361

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines. The variable wind condition was a related factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Prior to the launch, pibal balloons indicated that the winds were from the north-northeast. The pilot ground tracked the balloon at altitudes from 5 feet to 500 feet AGL. During the ground tracking, the pilot noted that the winds varied in their direction and speeds. Upon observing power lines, the pilot planned the flight to 'burn and climb over the power lines.' Upon realizing that the balloon was not going to clear the power lines, the pilot pulled the vent line and tried to land the balloon; however, the balloon struck the power lines.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.