Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-15 N9079S

Summary

On 6 May 2012 at about 00:30 local time, a Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-15 registered N9079S was involved in an accident near Hallsville, Missouri, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 May 2012 at 00:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Hallsville, Missouri, United States

Coordinates

39.1856, -92.4628

Aircraft

Balloon Works FIREFLY 7-15

Registration

N9079S

Category

Balloon

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hallsville → Hallsville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12CA279

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the slow descent from about 300 feet, the hot air balloon hit power lines. The pilot stated that, as the balloon descended, the wind shifted, and the forward speed of the balloon was reduced. Instead of continuing past the power lines, the gondola of the balloon descended between the power lines, and the envelope of the balloon became entangled in the wires. A postimpact fire ensued, resulting in substantial damage to the envelope and gondola. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the balloon prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.