N5253Y

On June 20, 2003, at 2040 central daylight time, an Aerostar S-55A balloon, N5253Y, piloted by a commercial pilot, impacted wires while attempting to land near Monroe, Wisconsin. The pilot reportedly jumped from an altitude of about 10 feet above the ground level prior to the balloon impacting the wires. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The balloon subsequently landed in an adjacent field and was undamaged. The flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The balloon departed Monroe, Wisconsin at 1900.

The pilot reported participating in a hot air balloon competition at the time of the accident. According to his statement he had landed previously, however, the ground crew was not able to obtain permission from the landowner to retrieve the balloon. The pilot decided to continue the flight and flew to the next available site, the parking lot of a local business. The pilot reported that as he made his approach he saw he was below power transmission lines. The pilot stated he made one "quick burn," but was unsuccessful in clearing the lines. According to the pilot he decided to allow the balloon to continue on it's descent track, and exit the balloon when it was closest to the ground. The pilot stated that he exited the basket approximately 8 to 10 feet above the ground, breaking his ankle upon landing.

The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the accident. A post-accident examination revealed no damage to the balloon.

The weather reported at Monroe Municipal Airport at 2034 was: wind calm; visibility 10 statute miles and clear.