N3013TRobinson Helicopter R22 BETA · 2007

The pilot of the balloon reported that, while flying level, in preparation for landing, he brushed the basket in the top of a tree to slow the forward speed. After slowing, he conducted a standup landing with no basket tip over. After securing the balloon, one of the passengers reported that her foot was injured.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operation.

The injured passenger reported that, prior to landing, the pilot announced they were coming in too fast for landing, and he was going to hit the treetops too slow them down. He instructed the passengers to assume the landing position. She then felt a "hard whiplash-like impact" and heard the snapping of tree branches. Upon landing, she experienced pain in both ankles and was unable to immediately egress from the basket. She later egressed with assistance. She declined immediate medical attention offered by the pilot at the scene, and again during the drive back to the operator's base. She elected to seek medical attention later that day and was initially diagnosed with a "bad sprain", of her left ankle. However, a follow up visit with a doctor later identified fractures in both of her ankles.

Another passenger reported that, while not familiar with balloon landings, the landing "seemed hard and was a shock". He further stated that, they had not been previously briefed that such a shock may occur during landing.

On August 3, 2012, approximately 2040 central daylight time, an ARBC INC Lindstrand 180A balloon, N3013T, registered to Gentle Breezes Balloon Rides LLC, De Forest, Wisconsin, was dragged onto its side by the wind after landing. There were 7 occupants on board; the commercial balloon pilot and 5 of his 6 passengers were not injured, and 1 passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the local balloon ride flight. The flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated about 2020 from the Sauk-Prairie Airport (91C), Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin.The pilot stated that he initially departed from the airport in light wind from the east, about 6 knots. About 1 hour and 45 minutes later, as the balloon moved toward the west, the wind picked up to about 15 knots. He attempted to descend and maneuver the balloon to seek more favorable wind for landing, but encountered wind shear. He described the terrain as "hilly," presenting problems for landing due to wind rotors below the tops of the hills. About 200 feet AGL the wind turned the balloon to a northwest direction and the speed about 15 mph. He descended more in hopes of finding lower wind, but had to be careful of the rotors, of which he was concerned that they could deform the envelope.

The balloon was piloted over an industrial area, unsuitable for landing, but were moving toward the Sauk airport. Close to the airport, a wind shear pushed the envelope in about 30 feet. At this point, the pilot briefed the passengers prior to landing. The gondola started to hit some tree tops and tipped. Still descending, the pilot shut off the burners, and opened the envelope vents to minimize the gondola being dragged after landing. Upon touchdown, the gondola was dragged onto its side and one of the passengers sustained a serious leg injury during the hard landing. One of the passengers had a hand-held GPS during the flight and reported that the device indicated a ground speed of 15 MPH just prior to touchdown.

The reported wind from a weather station (DLL) located about 13 miles to the north of the accident site was from 160 degrees at 10 knots. The exact wind at the accident site could not be determined. According to FAA records, the pilot did get a proper weather briefing prior to the flight. The wind for the area of the flight was forecast to be about 7 knots and decreasing but the wind encountered toward the end of the flight was about 15 knots.