Head Balloons Inc AX9 118 N2267U accident near Hanover, New Hampshire

Probable cause

The balloon's encounter with an updraft, resulting in an immediate landing and an intentional collision with a tree.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated that he was conducting a sightseeing flight just prior to sunset when the balloon encountered updrafts. He elected to land in the back yard of a private residence and initiated a descent. He allowed the basket of the balloon to contact the top of the trees to slow down his forward momentum, in an effort to make the landing area. Upon clearing the trees, he observed powerlines in the vicinity and aborted the landing. The pilot immediately selected another backyard for his touchdown point. He observed another large tree and allowed the basket to contact the tree and the basket descended upright next to the tree. The canopy received a minor tear and one passenger sustained a fractured wrist during the landing.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10CA462 for the full record.