N1511M

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.