BURLINGTON, NC, USA
N1511M
BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 7-B
DURING FLIGHT THE PASSENGER INADVERTENTLY LEANED ON THE THROTTLE CONTROL HANDLE, SHUTTING OFF GAS TO THE BURNER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RELIGHT THE BURNER, AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ADJACENT TO POWER LINES. THE ENVELOPE CONTACTED THE POWER LINES AND CAUGHT FIRE.
On May 13, 1994, at 1852 eastern daylight time, a Balloon Works Firefly 7-B, N1511M, collided with electric transmission wires during a forced landing in Burlington, North Carolina. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The balloon was substantially damaged. The balloon was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The flight originated at the Burlington-Alamance Airport at 1830. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration interviewed the pilot and inspected the balloon. He reported the following: During cruise flight, the passenger inadvertently leaned on the throttle control handle, shutting off gas to the burner. The pilot attempted to relight the burner, but was unsuccessful. A forced landing was attempted in a field. The gondola touched down hard, adjacent to power lines, and the envelope contacted the wires. A fire to the envelope resulted, which was then extinguished.
INADVERTENT BURNER CONTROL INTERFERENCE BY THE PASSENGER. A FACTOR WAS THE PRESENCE OF ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION WIRES AT THE FORCED LANDING SITE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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