Thao Nguyen injured in fatal Hebron, Indiana hot air balloon crash
Thao Nguyen injured in fatal Hebron, Indiana hot air balloon crash
Fatal Hebron, Indiana hot air balloon crash injury of Thao Nguyen – Obituary
Three individuals sustained injuries when a hot air balloon collided with power lines and ignited in Hebron, Indiana, authorities have reported.
The incident occurred around 6:50 p.m. local time on Sunday when a Lindstrom hot air balloon struck power lines in Hebron, according to the Federal Aviation Administration’s statement. On board were the pilot and two other passengers.
Firefighters from the Lowell Fire Department arrived at the scene shortly after the crash and found the balloon in a field, with the envelope and basket still intact. All three occupants were located in the basket with burn injuries.
The fire department noted that electrical current from the power lines had likely passed into the basket, causing the injuries. Due to the severity of the burns, two medical helicopters were dispatched to transport the injured.
The two passengers were airlifted to hospitals in Chicago, approximately 56 miles northwest of Hebron, while the pilot was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Crown Point, Indiana.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are conducting an investigation into the crash, with the NTSB leading the inquiry.
Recent trends in hot air balloon accidents have prompted increased scrutiny. The National Transportation Safety Board has highlighted a rise in such incidents over recent years, correlating with reduced regulation and oversight.
To address safety concerns, new regulations have been introduced, including a 2022 rule requiring pilots of commercial hot air balloons to hold medical certificates. The FAA and Balloon Federation of America also launched an “Envelope of Safety” program in 2017 to enhance pilot qualifications and safety standards.
This year has seen other hot air balloon accidents, including one in Minnesota in March where a balloon collided with a power line, and another in Arizona in January that resulted in fatalities.
Contributing: Kinsey Crowley and Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY
Thao Nguyen injured in fatal Hebron, Indiana hot air balloon crash Fatal Hebron, Indiana hot air balloon crash injury of Thao Nguyen – Obituary Three individuals sustained injuries when a hot air balloon collided with power lines and ignited in Hebron, Indiana, authorities have reported. The incident occurred around 6:50 p.m. local time on…
Thao Nguyen injured in fatal Hebron, Indiana hot air balloon crash Fatal Hebron, Indiana hot air balloon crash injury of Thao Nguyen – Obituary Three individuals sustained injuries when a hot air balloon collided with power lines and ignited in Hebron, Indiana, authorities have reported. The incident occurred around 6:50 p.m. local time on…