Gonzales, LA, USA
N2801F
RAVEN RX7
DURING A DAY LOCAL AREA FLIGHT THE BALLOON PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. AS SHE PASSED OVER A TREE LINE, ON SHORT FINAL, THE PILOT SPOTTED A SERIES OF UNMARKED ELECTRICAL POWER LINES. THE PILOT THOUGHT THAT THE POWER LINES WERE NOT A FACTOR. HOWEVER, A SUDDEN WIND SHIFT CHANGED THE DIRECTION OF THE BALLOON INTO THE POWER LINES. THE BALLOON BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE POWER LINES AND THE PILOT ORDERED THE PASSENGER TO JUMP FROM AN ALTITUDE OF 8 - 10 ABOVE THE GROUND DUE TO ELECTRICAL ARCING. AFTER THE PASSENGER WAS CLEAR THE PILOT JUMPED AND SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES.
UNFAVORABLE WINDS AT LOW ALTITUDE. A FACTOR WAS THE ELECTRICAL POWER LINES.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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