Flight Crew Lighter-Than-Air; Flight Crew Sport / Recreational
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 6; Flight Crew Total 3493; Flight Crew Type 26
Human-Machine Interface
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Human Factors
Aircraft X was checked for full fuel; [had] no obvious damage; [and] all [the] paperwork and flight manuals [were] onboard. [The] flight crew briefed and checked weather [and] met [the] passengers for a fun balloon flight. [We] checked 6 people in; [and] all [of them were] wearing masks and abiding by COVID rules. [I] checked [the] temperatures of all [the] passengers; including myself; and all were under 98.5. Temperatures were taken by the pilot.We left for a takeoff field down by [the highway and interstate]. [I] arrived and found 3 other balloon companies there. [The] passengers [were] briefed and [we] started the inflation. Since we arrived late and had the largest balloon; I was about 10 minutes behind the other balloon company's for takeoff. [We] took off [and] assented to approximately 500 ft. at 350 degrees. I was in communications with the other balloons via radio. They advised to stay at 500 to 600 ft. AGL for the best wind direction and speed.Flight was uneventful for about 40 minutes. The other balloons started to say that winds were becoming erratic and slowing. I was on line to land near another pilot when we slowed to a crawl and turned about 10 degrees to the right. I was over a golf course and did not want to land due to [the] marshy ground below us. I started to ascend to 800 ft. to see if I could get a little speed or change direction. There was no change there. I descended to 100 ft. and still nothing. I varied altitude several times to get something. While I was doing this I was stepping on my deflation line and it had come partially open. My next descent was from 200 ft. and with my vent partially open I could not stop my descent and hit the water.Once in the water; I realized that the top was open and closed it. Of the man and woman couple; the wife partially exited the aircraft and was promptly pulled back in by her husband and 2 other passengers. She ripped her pants and lost her cellphone. No injuries. The 2 'other' passengers had no problems. Of the mother-daughter couple; the mother hit her knee - she would not tell me which one. I asked her 3 times if she needed medical assistance and she refused all 3 times. Stating 'I'm OK' or 'I'll be alright.' As the balloon came out of the water; the balloon turned 140 degrees to the right; coming to a heading of approximately 165 degrees at 1/2 to 1 kt. We landed 6 minutes later. Assessing once again; the lady who complained about her knee stated 'I don't need any help or need to go to the hospital.' All passengers were in high spirits due to their 'adventure.' All 6 passengers had gotten their cellphones wet and one was lost. No damage to the aircraft except getting a bath.
Balloon Captain reported a successful recovery from an inadvertent water landing.