Incident Overview
A balloon pilot reported encountering a thermal while en route and decided to land the balloon in a hayfield. The field was surrounded by a wooded area. According to the pilot, the balloon was "driven down into the tree branches" before reaching the hayfield.
Sequence of Events
As the balloon moved over the hayfield, it descended and bounced hard on the ground. The pilot stated that the balloon bounced approximately 10 feet. He then deflated the envelope. The balloon made a second hard landing and subsequently deflated. One passenger suffered serious injuries as a result of the incident.
Mechanical Condition
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation. No other details about the balloon's condition were provided.