FTW04CA193

The 784-hour balloon pilot reported that while attempting a landing to a field with tall grass, the basket of the balloon impacted a concrete culvert. The pilot stated that one of the two passengers was ejected from the basket and the balloon started to ascend. After regaining control of the balloon, the pilot made an uneventful landing in an adjacent field. The pilot added that the wind was observed at 6 knots, gusting to 10 knots, prior to takeoff.

On August 8, 2004, approximately 1830 central daylight time, a Head Balloons Inc. AX8-88 hot air balloon, N83063, sustained minor damage following a collision with a concrete culvert during landing near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The commercial pilot was not injured, and one of the two passengers sustained minor injuries. One passenger sustained serious injuries. The hot air balloon was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Code of Federal Regulations part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from a staging area near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at an unknown time.

The 784-hour balloon pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that prior to the flight, he briefed his passengers about the characteristics of the balloon and how it would drag during landing before it would stop. He added that he also explained how they would need to "bend their knees and hold on tight" during landing.

Prior to inflating the balloon, the pilot observed the wind at 6 knots, gusting to 10 knots. After an uneventful flight, he observed a field where another balloon had landed and decided to land. After briefing his passengers that the landing may be hard due to the fast groundspeed, he leveled the balloon off just above some tall grass. The balloon touched down and started to drag on its side for approximately 15 feet. Subsequently, the basket of the balloon impacted a concrete culvert that was obscured by tall grass. The pilot stated that one of the two passengers was ejected from the basket and the balloon started to ascend. After regaining control of the balloon, the pilot made an uneventful landing in an adjacent field.

At 1853, the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), located at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, reported wind from 070 degrees ad 4 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 6,000 feet above ground level, temperature 90 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.96 inches of Mercury.