Balloon
Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 12; Flight Crew Total 3800; Flight Crew Type 3800
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Aircraft; Weather
During initial inflation of the hot air balloon the wind increased from near calm conditions to sudden gusts of 25 KTS or greater. As the balloon was being heated to upright position a tie down rope used to keep the balloon static and on the ground broke free causing the balloon to move downwind unexpectedly. Due to the amount of buoyancy achieved prior to the attachment breaking; the balloon lifted off the ground. I continued to heat the balloon to clear the surrounding crowd in front of me. The unintended flight became an emergency situation.Once I gained control of the balloon and was clear of the crowd below I looked for the first safe place to land. Landing and approach was at a wind speed I estimate to be greater than 20 KTS. The balloon came to rest on a small embankment on the side of a road in thick desert brush and cactus. During the first seconds after leaving the ground; as I heated to become more buoyant and clear the crowd the balloon burner was tilted to a 45 degree angle causing burn damage to the balloon envelope. The thick trees and cactus caused minor rips and tears to the fabric. No damage to the basket or fuel tanks. The fabric did not support flame from the burner and no fire occurred. I suffered small cuts to the back of my hands. No other person or property was hurt or damaged.
Blown loose of its tether by unexpected high winds during inflation for an exhibition flight; a hot air balloon--fortunately with its pilot aboard--became airborne and threatened spectators as it blew toward them. The pilot managed to increase inflation to avoid striking them and then managed to land the balloon with only minor damage and some minor cuts to his hands.