Tragedy struck in the Arizona desert on Sunday when a hot air balloon crashed, resulting in the loss of four lives and leaving another in critical condition. According to federal authorities, the accident may be linked to a potential problem with the balloon’s “envelope” – the bag that fills with hot air to make the balloon rise.
Investigating the Cause
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been actively investigating the incident. So far, no mechanical anomalies have been discovered, and the balloon appears to be intact after separating it from the passenger basket. However, an unspecified issue with the envelope is being considered as a possible cause.
To gather more information, the NTSB has sent an electronic device containing flight data and a video camera to their headquarters in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, they are also reviewing the balloon’s maintenance records and examining the pilot’s flight experience.
Eloy police have enlisted the assistance of the Federal Aviation Administration in their investigation as well.
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitnesses present at the scene claimed that the balloon appeared deflated just moments before the crash. Witnesses described the material of the balloon as being “straight up and down” when it impacted the empty field, which serves as a drop zone for skydivers.
The Tragic Loss
Among the victims of the crash were pilot Cornelius van der Walt, 37, a resident of Eloy, and three passengers: Kaitlynn “Katie” Bartrom, 28, from Andrews, Indiana; Chayton Wiescholek, 28, from Union City, Michigan; and Atahan Kiliccote, 24, from Cupertino, California. The names of the deceased were released by authorities.
Additionally, a 23-year-old woman from Scottsdale, a suburb of Phoenix, remains in critical condition in the hospital.
The Balloon Operator
Cornelius van der Walt, the founder of Droplyne Hot Air Balloon Rides, operated the ill-fated balloon. The company, which operates in Arizona and Utah, offers daily flights up to 10,000 feet in elevation from the Eloy area between November and April, and from Moab, Utah, during the spring and summer. The company’s website claims to have maintained a perfect safety record since its establishment in 2017.
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Source: NBC News