Hot
Air Balloon Crashes and Catches Fire but No One Injured
The National Transportation Safety Board says a hot air balloon carrying 13
people crashed and caught fire outside Phoenix after it was punctured by a tree
branch.
This still image taken
from video provided by Rob Hammersmark shows a fire from a hot air balloon that
crashed in the desert outside Phoenix, Ariz. on Wednesday, March 28, 2018.
Authorities say the hot air balloon carrying 13 people crashed and caught fire
next to a dirt road in the desert igniting a small brush fire but causing no
injuries. It's not immediately known what caused the Wednesday morning crash.
Phoenix fire Capt. Jake Van Hook says it started "only a small amount of
fire," which crews quickly extinguished. (Rob Hammersmark via AP) The
Associated Press
PHOENIX (AP) - Authorities say a hot air balloon carrying 13 people crashed and
caught fire Wednesday morning in the desert outside Phoenix, igniting a small
brush fire but causing no injuries.
Phoenix fire Capt. Jake Van Hook says it started "only a small amount of
fire," which crews quickly extinguished.
A witness video shows flames and a large plume of black smoke in an area of dry
brush as several people on a dirt path look on.
The crash occurred just before 8:30 a.m. just north of the Phoenix metro area,
according to Maricopa County Sheriff's officials.
Preliminary reports from the National Transportation Safety Board say it
appears the incident started when a tree branch punctured the balloon's
colorful outer covering, known as the "envelope."
"That branch caught fire," NTSB spokesman Chris O'Neil said.
O'Neil said all 13 people safely evacuated the balloon's basket, which then
caught fire. The group attempted to put out the blaze with fire extinguishers,
but it consumed the basket.
The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration are both investigating. It's
not yet clear if the pilot was trying to land when the puncture occurred.
"The sequence (of events) and the mechanics will become clearer as we go
on," O'Neil said. "It's fortunate that no one was hurt."
No injuries were reported to the 13 people on board and no other information
was immediately available, FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said.
A search of a tail number in FAA online records shows the hot air balloon is
registered to Hot Air Expeditions in Phoenix. A phone message left with a Hot
Air Expeditions employee was not immediately returned.
Abonner på:
Legg inn kommentarer (Atom)
Ingen kommentarer:
Legg inn en kommentar
Merk: Bare medlemmer av denne bloggen kan legge inn en kommentar.