Flight and Approach
The pilot was conducting a morning balloon flight and began an approach to land on a golf course. As the balloon descended to treetop level, the pilot noted that wind speeds varied between 8 and 17 miles per hour. After the balloon dropped below the tree tops, a gust of 17 miles per hour occurred accompanied by a significant wind shift. This shift moved the balloon laterally toward a line of trees.
Landing and Incident
Just prior to touchdown, the pilot reported that she pulled the top of the envelope to avoid colliding with the trees. The balloon landed quickly and dragged approximately 5 feet. As the envelope deflated, it became snagged on a tree, resulting in minor damage to the balloon.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot sustained a fractured ankle. One passenger suffered minor injuries. The other occupant aboard the balloon was not injured. The balloon itself sustained minor damage from snagging on the tree.