Balloon
Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 51; Flight Crew Total 3200; Flight Crew Type 175
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Object; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Object
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Maintenance Action
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
As a part of a Balloon [event] I departed from the launch site flying a hot air balloon with 10 passengers on board. The winds on the surface were light 2 to 3 miles per hour out of the north with a south-southwest transition beginning at about 1;000 FT AGL with clear skies. I ascended at a climb rate of approximately 150 FT per minute until I reached 600 FT AGL traveling south. I maintained an altitude of 600 FT for the next 10 minutes and then initiated another climb of about 150 to 200 FT per minute. At approximately 15 minutes into the flight; and at an altitude of approximately 900 FT AGL; the balloon collided with another balloon causing a 13 foot tear in the fabric; 8 panels down from the top of the balloon. The impact of the basket from the other balloon pushed valuable heat (lift) out of the balloon; combined with the size of the hole left behind; my balloon started a descent of approximately 600 FT per minute. I immediately added a 30 second burn from both burners to replenish the lost heat then took a moment to let my passengers know that I was going to have to land ASAP; and they should get into their landing positions. I immediately got back on the burners to arrest the descent and find a place to land the balloon. As I looked below I spotted an open area clear of powerlines and houses; and proceeded to land the balloon there. Just prior to landing [I] impacted a large dead tree to help break the fall. As the basket hit the tree it allowed the balloon to rock forward letting the basket swing forward; and then on the back swing we impacted the ground. The basket remained in an upright position as the balloon deflated. After the balloon was secured I then checked on all the passengers to see if there were any injuries. All passengers were OK and did not need any medical attention. I then called the [event] Safety Director to report what happened. The envelope of the balloon sustained minor additional damage upon landing and was packed up and transported to a local repair station where it was completely inspected; repaired and returned to service that same day. I continued to fly the balloon starting the next day for the duration of the [event] without further incident.
The pilot of a balloon described impacting another balloon; causing damage to his gas envelope. He made an emergency landing with no injuries to the passengers.