ELOY, Ariz. — The National Transportation Safety Board released preliminary findings regarding a fatal hot air balloon crash in Eloy in early January.
According to the report, the hot air balloon flight started at about 6:30 a.m. just after sunrise. The balloon departed about 18 miles away from where the crash occurred. The flight was scheduled with 13 people onboard, including eight skydivers who planned to jump from the balloon.
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Skydivers told investigators that after about 35 minutes, the balloon had ascended to about 10,000 feet (mean sea level), the report says.
The skydivers all departed the balloon in small groups as planned, the report says. The three passengers and the pilot remained in the basket. A few minutes later, witnesses saw the balloon descending to the ground, according to the report.
A review of multiple videos taken from phones revealed that the balloon was descending with a deflated envelope trailing from above. Additionally, at times, the burner flame under the envelope was observed.
The basket landed upright, according to the report. The envelope remained attached to the basket and showed thermal damage near the mouth of the envelope. The sewn rim tape material near the top of the envelope was frayed and several of the panels were damaged.
The report said the wreckage was relocated to a secured facility for further examination.
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