Incident Overview
On August 6, 2016, at 1850 eastern daylight time, a Balloon Works Firefly 8 (registration N317W) made a hard landing in Northwood, New Hampshire. The balloon was not damaged. The commercial pilot and four passengers were not injured; one passenger sustained serious injuries, including a fractured pelvis and leg.
Flight Details
The local sightseeing flight departed from Drake Field in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, around 1730. Visual meteorological conditions were present, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and was part of the Suncook Valley Rotary Club annual balloon rally.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot, a weather briefing indicated winds of 8 to 10 knots, forecast to drop below 5 knots before increasing again. After inflating the balloon envelope, the pilot noted that the envelope was not rocking, which he interpreted as indicating winds were not excessive. He then boarded the five non-paying passengers and departed. The flight climbed to between 1,200 and 1,500 feet and was uneventful until landing.
Landing Sequence
The pilot selected a 5-acre field for landing, located about 6 miles south of Pittsfield. The landing was described as "a bit rough." The basket momentarily tipped over before righting itself, then dragged across the field before stopping at the edge. During this sequence, one passenger fell inside the basket, resulting in serious injuries.
Weather Conditions
An FAA inspector reported that prior to the scheduled launch time of 1730, several pilot balloons (pibals) were released to assess wind conditions, which were described as "changeable." Thunderstorms were moving through the Laconia area (about 15 miles north of Pittsfield) at the scheduled launch time. Sixteen other pilots were scheduled to participate in the event, but none launched that evening due to weather concerns.
The 1851 automated weather observation at Concord Municipal Airport (CON), located about 12 miles west of the accident site, reported wind from 340° at 15 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, temperature 28°C, and dew point 16°C.