The annual Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is undoubtedly one of the most colorful events in aviation, especially the “Glowdeo” when the balloons fired up their burners at night, lighting up the gasbags. But where you have balloons, power lines, and winds together, the potential for tragedy exists:
One Killed, Three Injured In Three Balloon Incidents
KOAT-TV Channel 7, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
POSTED: 8:33 am MDT October 10, 2008
UPDATED: 8:12 pm MDT October 10, 2008ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.
— One person is dead and another critically injured after a hot air balloon crashed into power lines and burst into flames Friday morning.
Albuquerque balloon fiesta spokeswoman Kathie Leyendecker identified the dead man as Stephen Lachendro of Butler, Pa., one of the pilots of record for the “Wings of Wind” balloon.
State police said Lachendro and “Wings of Wind” balloon owner and primary pilot Keith Sproul, 49, of North Brunswick, N.J., were flying west to east in the balloon, under banner number 651. Police said the balloon made contact with power lines on the west side of state Road 528 near the intersection of Calle Bona Tierra and state Road 528.
Police said the balloon’s fuel line was severed on the first contact with the power lines. A second contact with power lines engulfed the gondola in flames.
Police said Sproul fell approximately 60 feet from the gondola. He was airlifted in critical condition to the University of New Mexico Hospital.
Lachendro fell about 45 feet and died at the scene, police said.
The balloon featured an unusual tetrahedron design.
There has also been a separate balloon hard landing in Rio Rancho on Idalia Road, about a half-mile west of the first crash location. Officials said that accident involved a 10-year-old child. The child was airlifted to University of New Mexico Hospital. One adult male was in the balloon as well.
Officials also report another injury in a third balloon incident in Placitas, N.M., involving a 16-year-old woman who was dragged during a landing attempt. The woman was treated and released. It is unknown whether the woman fell or jumped out of the balloon gondola, or was part of the chase crew assisting the landing.
Fiesta officials suspended launches at 9:30 a.m. The field opened Friday afternoon, but officials cancelled the evening’s Glowdeo event due to winds.
Sadly, not an isolated incident:
Previous Balloon Fiesta Crashes Rare But Serious
KOAT-TV Channel 7, Albuquerque, NM
POSTED: 6:27 pm MDT October 10, 2008
UPDATED: 6:43 pm MDT October 10, 2008Statistically, balloon crashes at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta are relatively rare, especially considering the hundreds of balloons that launch each year.
Still when crashes do happen, the results can be terrifying.
In 1982, a gas canister exploded on the “El Global Grande” balloon, resulting in the deadliest balloon crash in New Mexico history. Four people died and three others were hospitalized.
In 2003, a hard landing on the West Side tossed out passengers and burned the pilot.
In 2004, the Smokey the Bear balloon snagged a radio tower. The pilot and two children on board were able to climb down to safety.
In 2006, a balloon caught power lines burning two people inside, while across town, another balloon struck a building.
Last year, a California woman died after the balloon she was riding in got tangled on a wire above power lines.
2007 also saw one of the single worst days in Balloon Fiesta history when four balloons crashed.
The first balloon hit two retaining walls, and three people inside were hurt.
Moments later, a second balloon crashed into a house, then an arroyo, tossing a pregnant woman out of the gondola. She was rushed to the hospital, treated and released.
Another man was injured when a third balloon went down for a hard landing near Rio Rancho High School.
Nearby that accident, a fourth crash near the Rio Rancho library injured three people.
Ballooning experts said it is an adventure sport that brings with it inherent risks. Most of the accidents were due at least in part to windy conditions.
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October 12, 2008 at 3:45 am