N71493

On April 19, 1997, at 1930 central daylight time, a RXS-8 balloon, N71493, operated by Cloud 9 Balloons, Inc., collided with a ground crewmember while landing in the Cleveland Elementary School yard, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The pilot and four passengers were not injured. A ground crewmember received serious injuries. The balloon was not damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 local flight originated in Sioux Falls at 1830 cdt.

The pilot reported that at the time of takeoff the wind was from the southwest at 7 knots and that 40 minutes into the flight the winds "stopped." He descended in an attempt to "find some movement" and the winds began taking him back toward the city. He reported the wind direction changed several times and ultimately wound up taking them back to the northeast toward the city.

He stated he located a large "parking lot/playground" at the Cleveland Elementary School, and he radioed his ground crew that he was going to land and they should meet him there. He reported that during the landing, as the crew was ready to grab the basket, he heard someone shout to get "a kid out of the way" although he did not see anyone. He reported that the balloon landed safely and after the landing he was told that a member of the ground crew was injured. He reported that the crewmember, who was experienced, was occupied with making sure the child was out of the way and she did not see the basket coming which ultimately hit her and knocked her to the ground.

The crewmember reportedly suffered a fractured jaw and lacerations.