ELLSWORTH, KS, USA
N1531N
BALLOON WORKS FIRE FLY 7
THE BALLOON COLLIDED WITH A RADIO TOWER DURING TAKEOFF. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 180 DEGREES AT 12-18 KTS. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THIS PLT RECEIVED WEATHER BRIEFING. THIS BALLOON WAS LAUNCHED CLOSER TO THE TOWER THAN ANY OF THE OTHER BALLOONS PARTICIPATING IN A RALLY. THE BALLOON WAS LAUNCHED ABOUT 386 FT FROM THE 175 FT TOWER AND DRIFTED INTO IT. WITNESSES STATED THAT THERE WERE NO ATTEMPTS BY THE PLT TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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