Balloon
Flight Crew Commercial
Situational Awareness
Inflight Event / Encounter Object
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
Slow descent to land a hot air balloon in a golf course parking lot. A power pole hidden in a tree prevented me from determining there was a power line in the area. I had briefed my crew member as an observer. He shouted power line to our left but in our path. I hit both blast valves but balloon did not respond quickly enough. We struck the line with the suspension cables above the basket and were hung up for about 5 seconds when the line snapped with a very small electric arc. We then proceeded to a gentle landing on the golf course.
A balloon pilot reported striking a power line that was not initially visible. He took evasive action; which snapped the power line; and was able to land safely.