LEE'S SUMMIT, MO, USA
N15369
BALLOON WORKS FIREFLY 7-B
THE PIC STATED THAT PRIOR TO LIFTOFF, THE BALLOON WAS GYRATING AND INSTRUCTED THE GND CREW MEMBER TO STEADY THE BALLOON BY HOLDING THE ROPE. JUST AS THE BALLOON BECAME STEADY THE PIC INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF. THE PIC WAS AWARE OF TURBULENCE IN THE TAKEOFF SITE PRIOR TO LIFTOFF AND AGAIN DURING THE INITIAL LIFTOFF FM THE GROUND. THE BALLOON DRIFTED RAPIDLY EAST SOUTHEAST TOWARDS HIGH VOLTAGE POWERLINES. THE BALLOON ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE IN THE FORM OF DOWNDRAFTS. THE PIC DID NOT ABORT THE TAKEOFF BUT CONTINUED FIRING THE BURNER TO TRY TO OUTCLIMB THE EFFECTS OF THE TURBULENCE. NO TEST BALLOON WAS RELEASED FM THE TAKEOFF SITE TO ASSESS WIND CONDITIONS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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