Incident Overview
A hot air balloon flight at an organized balloon event ended with a hard landing and a dragged landing sequence, during which a passenger sustained a fractured arm. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.
Preflight and Weather
Prior to the flight, the pilot participated in a weather briefing provided by the event organization. Due to high winds at low level, the balloon launch was postponed for about an hour. Subsequently, approval to launch was granted by the event organizers.
Approach and Landing
At the conclusion of the flight, the pilot initiated an approach to a standard event landing field. During the approach, the wind was at a higher velocity than expected. The pilot briefed the passenger for a fast drag and hard landing. The balloon landed hard and then dragged for approximately 150 feet. As a result of the landing, the passenger suffered a fractured arm.
Mechanical Status
The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.