Balloon
Flight Crew Lighter-Than-Air
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 3500; Flight Crew Type 3450
Confusion; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Inflight Event / Encounter Object
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Human Factors; Aircraft
I was descending to land in a targeted landing field east of high-value homes when a drone operator sent his equipment into my balloon. The drone tore through a low panel of fabric; fell into the pilot compartment; hit me on the head; and flopped around on the floor like a fish in a boat. It distracted me and so I overburned and aborted my approach to landing. I then landed at an alternate landing site; [Name] High School - where 2 other balloons had landed.
Hot Air Balloon operator on approach had a mid air collision with a drone. The drone caused damage to the balloon and struck the pilot in the head. Balloon was landed shortly after.