Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B 15 N3282P

Summary

On 15 July 2017 at about 00:30 local time, a Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B 15 registered N3282P was involved in an accident near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, 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

15 July 2017 at 00:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States

Coordinates

35.8456, -86.3903

Aircraft

Balloon Works FIREFLY 8B 15

Registration

N3282P

Category

Balloon

Year built

2017

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Murfreesboro → Murfreesboro

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA17LA243

1 person was seriously injured.

The passenger's failure to let go of the balloon's gondola when the balloon began to ascend. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the balloon after landing, which resulted in an inadvertent takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the commercial pilot, after a successful sightseeing balloon flight, all the passengers exited the gondola and were helping the pilot secure the balloon. As they were holding on to the maneuvering handles, the balloon began to ascend; the pilot directed the passengers to "let go" of the gondola, and all except one released the maneuvering handles. The passenger who did not let go was carried about 30 ft into the air before he let go and fell to the ground; he sustained serious injuries. The pilot regained control of the balloon and landed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.