The balloon was participating in the Bi-Centennial Trans Australia Challenge. The pilot, the current French National Champion, was making only his second flight in Australian conditions. The injured crew member had positioned for landing with his legs behind the pilot. Witnesses reported that the balloon made a very positive landing from about 20 feet with the envelope well deflated on ground contact. The ensuing heavy landing caused the pilot to drop across the co-pilot's legs, breaking that crew member's left ankle. The pilot stated that he was conscious of a powerline in his landing path and that he made a steep approach to minimise the ground drag. The landing paddock, however, was large and flat and did not warrant such a steep approach for landing. It is considered probable that the pilot reverted to his technique for confined space landings which are usual in Europe and did not correctly assess the approach required for the unfamiliar terrain.
