PHILLIP, SD, USA
N4010S
RAVEN RX-7
AFTER THE FOURTH LANDING, THE BALLOON HAD BEEN ON THE GROUND ABOUT 8 MINUTES WHEN A WHIRL WIND SUDDENLY HIT THE ENVELOPE. THE BALLOON LIFTED UP ABOUT 2 TO 3 FT AND WAS BLOWN INTO THE SIDE OF A CHASE VEHICLE. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS THROWN OUT OF THE GONDOLA, BUT LANDED SAFELY. THE OTHER PASSENGER'S SHOULDER WAS FRACTURED WHEN SHE HIT A PROPANE TANK DURING THE IMPACT. THE INJURED PASSENGER AND THE PILOT REMAINED IN THE GONDOLA AS IT ASCENDED ABOUT 40 TO 50 FT. THE PILOT HEATED THE AIR IN THE BALLOON SO THAT IT WOULD REMAIN AT ALTITUDE UNTIL IT WAS FREED FROM THE WHIRL WIND. ABOUT 3 TO 4 MINUTES LATER, THE WHIRL WIND DISSIPATED AND THE PILOT LANDED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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