What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
Pilot attempted a high wind landing. After touchdown, pilot lost footing and fell out of basket while pulling the red line. Pilot was dragged outside the basket for approx 100 yards before the balloon came to rest striking a metal gate. Pilot sustained serious leg injury when basket crossed a busy highway striking the concrete curbs. Two passengers received minor injuries and three reported no injuries.
As the FAA filed it
PILOT ATTEMPTED A HIGH WIND LANDING. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, PILOT LOST FOOTING AND FELL OUT OF BASKET WHILE PULLING THE RED LINE. PILOT WAS DRAGGED OUTSIDE THE BASKET FOR APPROX 100 YARDS BEFORE THE BALLOON CAME TO REST STRIKING A METAL GATE. PILOT SUSTAINED SERIOUS LEG INJURY WHEN BASKET CROSSED A BUSY HIGHWAY STRIKING THE CONCRETE CURBS. TWO PASSENGERS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES AND THREE REPORTED NO INJURIES.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.