CEN16LA183

During the landing approach at the conclusion of the sightseeing flight, the commercial pilot of the balloon began a "quick" descent from an altitude of about 500 ft in order to land in a field that was about ¼ mile away. The pilot then activated the burners in order to slow the balloon's descent rate. About 50 ft above the ground, the pilot turned off the burners and pulled the quick deflation port at the top of the envelope. The basket impacted the ground, and the pilot and one passenger were ejected from the basket. The pilot continued to hold onto the quick deflation port line, and was dragged alongside the basket as the balloon subsequently became airborne. The balloon continued across the field until it contacted trees and came to rest. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

On May 13, 2016, about 0800 central daylight time, a Cameron Balloon US Z-150, N6952D, collided with trees and the terrain during a landing in Edmond, Oklahoma. The pilot and four passengers received minor injuries. One passenger was seriously injured. The balloon received substantial damage to the envelope. The balloon was registered to a private individual and was operated by OKC Balloons Aloft as a sightseeing flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated about 0705.The pilot stated he checked the weather prior to the flight and the wind speed was forecast to be 5 to 8 knots. They departed on the flight and during the landing approach, at an attitude of about 500 ft, he started a "quick" descent to land in a field that was about ¼ mile away. He realized the descent rate was too fast so he used the burners to slow the descent. At 50 ft above the ground, the pilot stopped using the burners and pulled the quick deflation port. The basket impacted the ground, and the pilot and one passenger were ejected from the basket. The pilot continued to hold onto the quick deflation port line and was drug alongside the basket. The balloon became airborne and ascended to a height of 75 to 100 ft above the ground, with the pilot still holding onto the line. The balloon continued across the field until it came to rest after contacting trees. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions during the flight. The pilot's safety recommendation was, "Use of a pilot restraint harness so pilot is not ejected."