What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(.4) The pilot briefed the passengers on the proper balloon landing procedures both prior to and during the flight. He reported that just prior to touchdown, he again stated 'hold on and bend your knees.' He reported that during the normal, stand-up landing, the female passenger, age 83, either failed to or was unable to hold on. She lost her balance and began to sit on the floor of the basket. The male passenger, age 79, then let go of the basket in an attempt to assist her. The male passenger lost his footing, fell on top of the female, and the female passenger received a broken arm. (-23) departed house springs, MO EST 1530Z. During a normal landing at Imperial, MO one of the passengers sustained a broken arm. No damage to the balloon or property.
As the FAA filed it
(.4) THE PILOT BRIEFED THE PASSENGERS ON THE PROPER BALLOON LANDING PROCEDURES BOTH PRIOR TO AND DURING THE FLIGHT. HE REPORTED THAT JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, HE AGAIN STATED 'HOLD ON AND BEND YOUR KNEES.' HE REPORTED THAT DURING THE NORMAL, STAND-UP LANDING, THE FEMALE PASSENGER, AGE 83, EITHER FAILED TO OR WAS UNABLE TO HOLD ON. SHE LOST HER BALANCE AND BEGAN TO SIT ON THE FLOOR OF THE BASKET. THE MALE PASSENGER, AGE 79, THEN LET GO OF THE BASKET IN AN ATTEMPT TO ASSIST HER. THE MALE PASSENGER LOST HIS FOOTING, FELL ON TOP OF THE FEMALE, AND THE FEMALE PASSENGER RECEIVED A BROKEN ARM. (-23) DEPARTED HOUSE SPRINGS, MO EST 1530Z. DURING A NORMAL LANDING AT IMPERIAL, MO ONE OF THE PASSENGERS SUSTAINED A BROKEN ARM. NO DAMAGE TO THE BALLOON OR PROPERTY.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.