Balloon Works FIREFLY 7B-15 N90755

Summary

On 10 August 1997 at about 23:55 local time, a Balloon Works FIREFLY 7B-15 registered N90755, operated by Theron Riley, was involved in an accident near Columbia, Missouri, 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

10 August 1997 at 23:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Columbia, Missouri, United States

Coordinates

39.0201, -92.2995

Aircraft

Balloon Works FIREFLY 7B-15

Registration

N90755

Category

Balloon

Operator

Theron Riley

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI97LA305

1 person was seriously injured.

the pilot's improper planning/decision. The unfavorable wind was a related factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, there were three weather briefings prior to the flight. The last briefing indicated that the approaching cold front had dissipated, and that calm winds were expected to remain. The pilot briefed his passenger on hard landing techniques prior to launching with approximately 10-15 other balloons. Nearly 30 minutes into the flight, the wind shifted 180 degrees and accelerated. The pilot elected to descent for a landing in a field. During the landing sequence, one corner of the basket contacted the ground, causing the basket to pirouette onto one side. At this time, the passenger's foot became caught between the propane tank and the basket causing an ankle fracture.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.