Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-15 N90897

Summary

On 17 August 2008 at about 13:30 local time, a Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-15 registered N90897 was involved in an accident near Mountain Grove, Missouri, United States. 2 people were 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

17 August 2008 at 13:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Mountain Grove, Missouri, United States

Coordinates

37.1304, -92.2610

Aircraft

Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-15

Registration

N90897

Category

Balloon

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mountain Grove → Mountain Grove

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Not Reported

NTSB number

DFW08LA206

1 person died.

An on-board fire following a propane leak. Contributing to the accident was the lack of training/experience of the non-certificated pilot.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A non-certificated balloon pilot made a tethered balloon flight. During the ascent, a propane leak and fire broke out on-board. The fire caused one of the propane tanks to explode. At an altitude of approximately 80 feet, the pilot jumped to escape the burning craft. The balloon's basket then separated from the envelope and fell to the ground. When ground handlers went to aid the pilot, a second propane tank exploded, causing serious burn injuries to one of the participants. A reason for the propane leak was not determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.