FLEMINGTON, NJ, USA
N7113E
BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 8B
DURING AN UNEVENTFUL 45 MINUTE BALLOON FLIGHT, A LONG DRAG LANDING WAS MADE ONTO A HAY FIELD. NEAR THE END OF THE DRAG LANDING, THE BALLOON FLATTENED OUT SPREAD ACROSS THE STUBBLE OF THE HAY FIELD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE PASSENGER INADVERTENTLY ACTIVATED THE BURNER WHILE EXITING THE GONDOLA. THE FLAMES FROM THE BURNER IGNITED THE STUBBLE UNDERNEATH THE ENVELOPE, SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSING THE ENVELOPE TO BURN.
On July 10, 1993, about 2020 hours eastern daylight time, N7113E, a Balloon Works Firefly 8B balloon, registered to Looking Up Advertising Incorporated, North Plainfield, New Jersey, was substantially damaged during landing in Flemington, New Jersey. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight departed from Frenchtown, New Jersey, at 1935 hours and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot; "A successful 45 minute balloon flight was made. . . . A long drag landing was made on the upward slope of a hay field that was cut and raked with 3 inch stubble in the ground. The balloon flattened out at the end of [the] drag, laying on top of the stubble. The passenger crawled out of the gondola and hit the burner, causing the burner to go on, setting the stubble on fire in front of the basket going under the envelope, causing [the envelope] to burn." No mechanical malfunctions were reported.
THE PASSENGER'S INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE BURNER AFTER THE LANDING, CAUSING THE TERRAIN TO BURN AND SUBSEQUENTLY IGNITING THE BALLOON ENVELOPE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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