Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The balloon's encounter with an updraft, resulting in an immediate landing and an intentional collision with a tree.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot stated that he was conducting a sight seeing flight just prior to sunset and the balloon encountered some updrafts. He elected to land in the back yard of a private residence and initiated a descent. He allowed the basket of the balloon to contact the top of the trees to slow down his forward momentum, in order to make the landing area. Upon clearing the trees, he observed power lines and aborted the landing. The pilot immediately selected another backyard for his touchdown point. He observed another large tree and allowed the basket to contact the tree and the basket descended upright next to the tree. The canopy received a minor tear and one passenger sustained a fractured wrist during the landing.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA10CA462