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Bumpy landings are expected by ballooning veterans - and sometimes even practiced.

But even the experts admit this year looks especially bad for accidents and incidents.

"It seems like this year we had a lot," said Don Bragg, who teaches regulations at balloon ground school and is on the education board of the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association.

"We had nine people go to the hospital, one fatality," Bragg said. "I think a lot of that was attributable to wind."

On Monday, when a woman was killed in a fall after her balloon hit a utility line, winds went from 6 knots to more than 12 knots in about 15 minutes, said Marie Johnson, a crew member for pilot Paul Clinton.

Johnson's balloon hadn't yet launched when the winds shifted, but there were plenty of people already in the air that thought the winds were supposed to be calm, she said.

"The wind changes so quick - I don't think a lot of people understand that," Johnson said.

To make the possibility of injury clear, companies that give rides often have passengers sign waivers that say they know the risk of injury and even death.

"I understand that when landing it is not unusual for the balloon basket to tip on its side subjecting passengers to physical contact with each other and the sides of the basket. The degree of force will vary depending on wind speed and rate of descent of the balloon, neither of which can be fully determined in advance of flight," reads one online waiver from Unicorn Balloon Co.

Reporting injuries to the Federal Aviation Administration is a fairly convoluted process, because the definition of what must be reported isn't straightforward, Bragg said.

"It depends on the severity of injury," Bragg said. "One of the requirements says `any fracture, with the exception of nose, toes and fingers, is reportable.' "

Even the nine injuries that required a trip to the hospital at this year's fiesta might not all be reportable, Bragg said.

"Generally, now they call 911 even without a serious injury, just to be on the safe side," Bragg said. "I think that's smart. But it can be deceptive when counting incidents and accidents."

And even though it can be dangerous, most veteran balloonists say flying is well worth it.

"I've had a couple hard landings, sure, but there's nothing like watching your pilot come in and hit a target on the field at a competition," said Johnson. "There's a lot of pride in this."

Winds can change quickly, shift direction and do unexpected things. Bumpy landings are often part of the game, said Russ Pederson, Clinton's crew chief.

"If you listen to what the pilot says and hold on and prepare yourself, you'll be OK," Pederson said. "Getting bruises or banging your knees is just part of it."