Firefly Balloons 8B-15 N2053D

Summary

On 11 September 2008 at about 00:10 local time, a Firefly Balloons 8B-15 registered N2053D, operated by Edward J. Dowling, was involved in an accident near Springfield, Illinois, United States. 4 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

11 September 2008 at 00:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Springfield, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

39.8442, -89.6778

Aircraft

Firefly Balloons 8B-15

Registration

N2053D

Category

Balloon

Operator

Edward J. Dowling

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Springfield → Springfield

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI08CA281

1 person was seriously injured.

The failure of the passenger to follow the pilot's instructions by not steadying herself during the landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the ground winds were 1 to 2 miles per hour, and the winds between 500 and 1,500 feet above the ground varied from 5 to 8 miles per hour during the uneventful flight. He reported that he chose a backyard in which to land, and at an altitude of seven to nine feet above the ground they threw a line out to the chase crew to slow them down. The pilot reported that before reaching the ground, two more chase crewmembers grabbed the gondola to slow them down even more and to soften the landing. Upon touching down, one passenger lost her balance and fell into a 91-year-old passenger, knocking her to the bottom of the gondola. The 91-year-old passenger suffered two broken legs and a broken ankle. The pilot reported that prior to the departure all of the passengers were instructed to hold on tight, bend their knees, and stay inside the gondola during the landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.