Pilot Debrief

BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 8B-15 near Anthony, KS — 2013-05-11

Final reportCEN13CA278
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Date
2013-05-11
Location
Anthony, KS, USA
Airport
ANY
Aircraft
BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 8B-15
Registration
N3171L
Category
Balloon
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to monitor the balloon's altitude, which resulted in the balloon impacting an airport rotating beacon tower.

NTSB narrative

The balloon had just taken off from the airport as part of a balloon rally. The pilot said that the balloon was about 150 to 200 feet above the ground and that he was checking his flight instruments when the balloon encountered a “false lift condition” and settled on top of the rotating beacon tower on the airport. The balloon envelope was torn open, deflating the envelope, and the basket settled on the ground. A postaccident examination of the balloon showed substantial damage to the top one-third of the envelope's fabric and load tapes. No preaccident anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operation of the balloon.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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