Background
The balloon was one of many participating in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Before the flight, the pilot received a preflight weather briefing from the FAA, which forecasted winds between 3 mph and 5 mph.
Flight and Weather Conditions
Once airborne, the pilot observed that the winds were "quite variable" at different altitudes. At 2,000 feet above ground level (agl), the balloon was traveling at about 8 mph. By monitoring other balloons and communicating with other pilots via radio, he learned that winds closer to the ground were "quite fast and going in the opposite direction." One pilot who had already landed reported that his balloon was moving at approximately 25 mph at 500 feet agl, then slowed to about 8 mph as it neared the ground.
Descent and Landing Attempt
The accident pilot began his descent and encountered winds of 25 mph. As he approached the ground, the balloon decelerated but only to about 15 to 16 mph. He attempted to land on the north side of a new housing development, but the wind carried the balloon to the south side of the development. The area featured brick retaining walls separating plots of land awaiting new house construction.
Impact and Injuries
The basket first struck a street curb, then scraped the top of a brick wall that was perpendicular to the balloon's flight path. The basket then impacted a second wall, dragging along it before coming to a stop. The envelope draped over the other side of the wall. Upon the impact with the second wall, a passenger was thrown against the fuel tank and sustained serious injuries.
Pilot and Peer Observations
Following the accident, the pilot noted that winds in other parts of the valley, only a few miles away, "were much less." In post-accident discussions with other pilots who had also experienced accidents or incidents that morning, the consensus was that the winds had developed "faster than expected." Other pilots reported being pushed into the ground at low altitudes, a phenomenon they referred to as a "false heavy."