ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — During the vibrant and highly anticipated Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta this past Friday, a hot-air balloon collided with a radio tower, causing it to collapse. This incident marks the second occurrence in 20 years involving a balloon interacting with the same structure.
Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, according to Kevin Carhart, a spokesperson for the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. The balloon, carrying three passengers, managed to land safely in a nearby field after the collision.
The tower, which serves as the transmitter for KKOB-AM radio, was damaged but appears to have not affected any surrounding buildings, as news footage of the scene indicated.
The balloon involved in the accident was an Aerostar International Inc. S-57A that launched from a local park as part of the ongoing 52nd annual festival. The Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a separate event earlier in the week, a balloon made contact with a power line, resulting in a blackout that left nearly 13,000 residents without electricity for close to an hour.
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta continues to be a major attraction, renowned as one of the most photographed events globally. Each fall, it draws hundreds of thousands of visitors who gather to witness over 100 colorful and uniquely shaped balloons floating in the New Mexico sky.
This latest collision harks back to a similar incident in 2004 when a balloon designed to resemble the face of Smokey Bear became entangled with the same radio tower during the festival, necessitating a precarious climb for the pilot and two passengers to descend safely.
