ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A drone show and a perfect mass ascent capped off the final day of the 52nd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Sunday. However, this year's hot air balloon event was not all smooth sailing.
A balloon partially caught fire Saturday after it hit a power line and landed at a construction site northwest of Albuquerque. Fiesta officials said no one was injured and the fire was quickly extinguished.
On Friday, the pilot of a balloon carrying two passengers crashed into a radio tower, causing it to collapse on the west side of Balloon Fiesta Park.
It was the second time in 20 years that a balloon had touched the tower.
The pilot and passengers were not injured in the incident and the plane was able to land safely, but the radio station was suspended until Saturday.
One person reportedly suffered a head injury Wednesday when a balloon crashed into a large tree while attempting to land on a golf course.
The gondola became stuck 7 meters above the ground and the other two people on board the balloon had to be rescued.
About 13,000 customers were without power for nearly an hour Tuesday after a balloon hit a power line in Albuquerque.
“We are concerned that the balloon flight is not proceeding as planned,” Fiesta spokesman Tom Garrity said in a statement. “Safe flight is our primary goal, so any accident is too many.”
The nine-day festival is one of the most photographed events in the world, drawing hundreds of thousands of people every fall to see more than 100 balloons in bright colors and unusual shapes. Spectators flock to New Mexico.
