Hot-Air Balloon Crashes into Power Line, Ignites Fire in Minnesota

Hot-air balloon crashes into power line, causing basket to detach with three passengers and igniting a fire in Minnesota.

On Wednesday, a hot-air balloon accident in Minnesota caused a dramatic scene as the balloon crashed into a power line, resulting in the basket detaching with three passengers on board.

Incident Details

The incident occurred around 6:50 p.m. as the balloon was attempting to land in a field in Rochester. According to the Rochester Police Department, a strong gust of wind pushed the balloon off course, causing it to collide with a power line on Highway 63 between 40th Street SE and 48th Street SE.

Video footage captured the balloon's descent alongside the highway before it struck the power line, leading to electrical sparks and subsequent fires breaking out. The basket fell approximately 20 to 30 feet, while the envelope shot up into the sky. Fortunately, the Rochester Fire Department was able to quickly extinguish the small brush fire that erupted near the basket.

Passenger Status and Response

Despite the severity of the crash, two of the passengers sustained only "very minor" injuries. The fortunate outcome prompted Rochester Fire Capt. Chad Kuhlman to state, "Everyone is miraculously OK," adding that they were lucky to survive the ordeal.

Investigation and Safety Agencies

Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched investigations into the accident to determine the cause and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Safety Reminder

This incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with hot-air balloon travel and the importance of strict safety measures to safeguard passengers and prevent accidents.

Recent Similar Incidents

Notably, in January of this year, four individuals tragically lost their lives, and another was critically injured in a hot-air balloon crash in the Arizona desert, highlighting the necessity for continued vigilance and safety improvements within the hot-air balloon industry.

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