Accident Summary
On January 10, 2015, at approximately 1410 eastern standard time, a Lindstrand Balloons USA model 120A balloon, registration N316TB, experienced a hard landing near Peru, Indiana. The balloon was not damaged during the incident. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries and was subsequently hospitalized with fractures of the C4 and C5 vertebrae.
Flight Details
The balloon was registered to and operated by the commercial pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. No flight plan was activated. The flight was a personal cross-country endurance flight that had departed from Ashton Observatory, near Baxter, Iowa, at about 0740 central standard time. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of departure and at the accident site.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported making a normal landing approach. However, the surface wind velocity was higher than forecast, prompting the use of a high-wind landing technique. The pilot stated that he remained in control of the balloon during the hard landing and was able to properly brace himself before touchdown. Shortly after touchdown, the balloon tipped over onto its side, a typical occurrence in high-wind landings. The pilot fell out of the basket after his shoulder made contact with the ground. He was able to pull the vent line to fully deflate the envelope following touchdown.
Weather Information
At 1358, the automated surface observing system at Grissom Air Reserve Base, located about 13 miles west of the accident site, reported: wind from 230 degrees at 12 knots, clear sky, 10 miles visibility, temperature -10 degrees Celsius, dew point -15 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.43 inches of mercury.