20130316004449A

During landing approach to a field on the south side of southwest 296th street, and southeast of Homestead general aviation airport, the pilot indicated he encountered shifting winds. He also said he encountered a significant downdraft. The pilot indicated he was applying full output to heater system/burners to stop the downward decent. The basket of the balloon was pushed down onto Florida power and light power lines situated on the south side of 296th street. The downward motion caused the basket to contact the top/upper power line. The continued downward basket/balloon motion pushed the upper power line onto the middle power line. When the upper power line contacted the middle power line, 760,000 volts arced, and caused a fireball flash. The fireball flashed over, and into the basket, thru approximately two six inch square openings, used for passenger step boarding. The fireball burned all occupants, and ignited the passengers garments. The passengers position in the basket shielded most of the flash over from the pilot. The fireball ignited the passengers garments. The female passenger received third degree burns, and male passengers received second degree burns. Each passenger was hmv to kendall regional medical facility, treated and I understand were transfered to another medical facility for their burns. The basket continued a slow and gentle landing onto 296th street. The balloon envelope deflated, and came to rest on the power line. A power line insulator at the top of the power line pole punctured the balloon envelope. The balloon envelope remained rested on the power lines, and the surface winds started to whip the balloon envelope on the power lines. Pilot decided to release the cables that attach the upper basket to the envelope. The winds lifted basket attachment cables, contacted the power lines, arced, and burned holes in the envelope at several location. The bottom surface of the basket has an arc burn on a metal clamp between the outboard skid and the adjacent inboard skid.