HOT AIR BALLOON LOW FLT OVER SUBDIVISIONS. SCARES ANIMALS.

Narrative

LAUNCHED BALLOON FROM ROCK HILL SCHOOL IN APPROX 5 KT WINDS FROM 050 DEG WITH 2 PAX ON THEIR FIRST BALLOON FLT. AFTER 15 MINS; DETERMINED THAT TRACK OF BALLOON HAS MINIMAL LNDG SITES (AFTER CLBING TO 1500 FT AGL TO SURVEY AREA). TRACK CARRIED BALLOON OVER 2 SUBDIVISIONS WITHIN CITY LIMITS OF THOMASTON. AFTER XING PWR LINES 500 FT AGL I DSNDED TO TREE TOP LEVEL TO SEARCH AND BE PREPARED FOR IMMEDIATE LNDG DUE TO MINIMAL LNDG SITES SEEN AHEAD ON THIS TRACK. I CONTINUED TO FLY AT APPROX 5 KTS AT TREE TOP LEVEL FOR 30-40 MINS SEARCHING FOR FIRST AVAILABLE LNDG SITE. MY TRACK CROSSED HEAVILY WOODED SUBDIVISIONS WITHIN CITY LIMITS BUT I DID NOT CONSIDER THESE HEAVILY WOODED 'CONGESTED AREAS'. EVENTUALLY AFTER LEAVING TOWN; WE LANDED IN A LOGGED OUT AREA IN 3-6 FT PINES AND THIGH-HIGH GRASS AT 5 MINS PRIOR TO SUNSET. IT WAS PITCH DARK AFTER PACKING UP BALLOON AND AFTER WALKING FOR 20-30 MINS WE WERE DISCOVERED BY HUNTERS WHO LED US OUT TO CIVILIZATION. NEXT DAY RECEIVED TELEPHONE CALL FROM RESIDENT OF SUBDIVISION STATING HER DOGS WERE TERRIFIED OF BALLOON FLYING SO LOW AND DACHSHUND ESCAPED INTO STREET WHERE IT WAS KILLED BY CAR. SHE REQUESTED I NOT FLY SO LOW AGAIN. WE WERE SEARCHING CONSTANTLY FOR FIRST AVAILABLE LNDG AREA FOR 30-40 MINS SO I FEEL JUSTIFIED IN THE 91.119 'EXCEPT WHEN NECESSARY FOR TKOF OR LNDG' EXCEPTION; BUT WE WERE LESS THAN 200 FT AGL DURING THIS TIME.