A hot air balloon crashed into a building near a Sacramento-area casino on Monday afternoon, remaining airborne for approximately 20 minutes after the incident. LiveCopter 3 footage captured the balloon hitting the building during an event at Sky River Casino. The video showed the basket of the balloon colliding with the building’s side, even reaching a 90-degree angle at one point with a person still inside. The balloon then attempted to land, but ultimately ascended back into the sky.
The crash was observed by LiveCopter 3 at 12:10 p.m., with the balloon finally landing at a field close to Grant Line and Waterman roads by 12:29 p.m. The basket was on its side and the balloon appeared deflated.
A statement from Sky River Casino explained that due to unexpected heavy winds, the pilot launched into free flight following safety protocols, resulting in a safe landing for both the balloon and pilot. The Elk Grove Police Department confirmed that the launch was unplanned, caused by sudden strong winds, and that the balloon also struck a powerline before reaching the ground. Fortunately, the pilot sustained no injuries and there were no passengers onboard.
Authorities have notified the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board about the incident for further investigation.
[Context: Hot air balloon crash at a Sacramento-area casino. Fact Check: The pilot and balloon landed safely despite the collision.]
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