Primary finding
Probable cause
A hard landing which resulted in serious injury to a passenger.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, after diverting to an alternate landing area due to adverse wind conditions, the pilot maneuvered the balloon to land on a nearby soccer field. The pilot stated that he engaged the smart vent, touched down, bounced, and the balloon touched down a second time and came to a halt. He reported that during the second touchdown, a passenger's knee struck the calf of a fellow passenger, and that the passenger who was struck sustained a broken fibula. No further injuries resulted and damage was not sustained to any portion of the balloon. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to the pilot, after diverting to an alternate landing area due to adverse wind conditions, the pilot maneuvered the balloon to land on a nearby soccer field. The pilot stated that he engaged the smart vent, touched down, bounced, and the balloon touched down a second time and came to a halt. He reported that during the second touchdown, a passenger's knee struck the calf of a fellow passenger, and that the passenger who was struck sustained a broken fibula. No further injuries resulted and damage was not sustained to any portion of the balloon. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.