Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-B N1527M

Summary

On 17 May 1998 at about 14:30 local time, a Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-B registered N1527M was involved in an accident near Longmont, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 May 1998 at 14:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Longmont, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

40.1696, -105.1095

Aircraft

Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-B

Registration

N1527M

Category

Balloon

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Twin Lakes → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA231

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to properly position his foot for a high wind landing. Factors were high winds and windshear.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the landing approach, the winds were from the south at 5 to 7 knots. At 30 to 40 feet above the ground, the pilot encountered wind shear out of the east at 30 to 35 knots, and the intended landing was aborted. The pilot climbed to 150 agl and set up for a high wind landing. Upon touchdown, the pilot's foot was caught between the wicker siding and the solid floor of the basket, and the pilot's ankle was broken. According to the pilot, the accident would not have occurred had he not improperly placed his foot between the wicket basket and the floor plate of the balloon at the time the balloon impacted the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.