NTSB Factual Report

On August 3, 2012, approximately 2040 central daylight time, an ARBC INC Lindstrand 180A balloon, N3013T, registered to Gentle Breezes Balloon Rides LLC, De Forest, Wisconsin, was dragged onto its side by the wind after landing. There were 7 occupants on board; the commercial balloon pilot and 5 of his 6 passengers were not injured, and 1 passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the local balloon ride flight. The flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated about 2020 from the Sauk-Prairie Airport (91C), Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin.

The pilot stated that he initially departed from the airport in light wind from the east, about 6 knots. About 1 hour and 45 minutes later, as the balloon moved toward the west, the wind picked up to about 15 knots. He attempted to descend and maneuver the balloon to seek more favorable wind for landing, but encountered wind shear. He described the terrain as “hilly,” presenting problems for landing due to wind rotors below the tops of the hills. About 200 feet AGL the wind turned the balloon to a northwest direction and the speed about 15 mph. He descended more in hopes of finding lower wind, but had to be careful of the rotors, of which he was concerned that they could deform the envelope.

The balloon was piloted over an industrial area, unsuitable for landing, but were moving toward the Sauk airport. Close to the airport, a wind shear pushed the envelope in about 30 feet. At this point, the pilot briefed the passengers prior to landing. The gondola started to hit some tree tops and tipped. Still descending, the pilot shut off the burners, and opened the envelope vents to minimize the gondola being dragged after landing. Upon touchdown, the gondola was dragged onto its side and one of the passengers sustained a serious leg injury during the hard landing. One of the passengers had a hand-held GPS during the flight and reported that the device indicated a ground speed of 15 MPH just prior to touchdown.

The reported wind from a weather station (DLL) located about 13 miles to the north of the accident site was from 160 degrees at 10 knots. The exact wind at the accident site could not be determined. According to FAA records, the pilot did get a proper weather briefing prior to the flight. The wind for the area of the flight was forecast to be about 7 knots and decreasing but the wind encountered toward the end of the flight was about 15 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s loss of control of the balloon during a landing in higher-than-expected wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.