What happened
On April 10, 2022, an A55S balloon, registration N866RA, was involved in an accident in Safford, Arizona. During a climb to the north, the pilot noticed abnormal sound and power levels from the burners. After observing low pressure in the burners, the pilot began a descent.
While attempting to troubleshoot the low pressure by switching between propane tanks, the pilot decided to land as soon as possible. The balloon maintained a level flight path at approximately 1,100 feet above ground level, but burner pressure continued to decrease. As the pilot approached the intended landing site, power lines were observed intersecting the flight path. The pilot applied full burn to clear the wires, then opened multiple panels to force a rapid descent into a nearby fenced parking lot.
The balloon's basket impacted the ground at approximately 8 mph, missing the intended landing area. The envelope continued moving until it struck power lines near the west perimeter fence of the parking lot. The pilot and two passengers, who sustained 2 minor injuries, remained in the basket until first responders arrived. The pilot was not injured.
The investigation
Post-accident examinations of the balloon's burner, ignition, fuel supply system, gauges, and operational checks found no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation.
Meteorological data from a facility 7 miles east of the site indicated a temperature of 57°F and a density altitude of 3,656 feet. The investigation noted that while the pilot had enough power to clear the power lines, she chose to proceed toward the confined parking lot. The area immediately beyond the parking lot consisted of miles of unobstructed, uninhabited land that would have been more suitable for an emergency landing.