10:50 AM PT -- Officials tell TMZ Sports the pilot did NOT parachute out of the blimp, despite witness claims.

When emergency responders got to the blimp, they found the pilot and determined he went down with the blimp.

He's alive -- and suffered burns and injuries to his back and neck.

A manned blimp unaffiliated with FOX Sports or the #USOpen crashed near the course earlier today. pic.twitter.com/XXaj3n8j2H

A blimp floating over the U.S. Open golf tournament in Erin, Wisconsin caught fire and crashed moments ago ... and spectators captured the incident on video.

TMZ Sports has confirmed the pilot made it out of the blimp but suffered injuries. We're told the pilot suffered burns on his face and has pain in his neck and lower back.

The blimp landed in a remote field with no direct road access. Emergency responders were instructed to take ATVs to get to the crash site.

We're told the blimp was a 1-man aircraft. The FAA will be on scene to investigate.

Story developing ...