Crime & Safety
Hot Air Balloon Hits Power Line In MN, Bursts Into Flames
Three people survived a harrowing end to their hot air balloon ride in Rochester on Wednesday evening.
ROCHESTER, MN — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a hot-air balloon crashed into a powerline and burst into flames in Rochester Wednesday evening. No one was killed in the incident.
The crash was caught on traffic camera video.
At about 6:50 p.m., the Rochester Police Department responded to the scene along Highway 63.
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The hot air balloon was trying to land in a field when a gust of wind pushed it into a power line, according to investigators.
The basket separated from the balloon and fell around 30 feet to the ground.
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Three occupants were inside the basket. Two reported "very minor injuries," and the third was unharmed, authorities said.
A small brush fire broke out next to the basket, which the Rochester Fire Department quickly extinguished. The balloon was found a couple of miles away, police said.
The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating.
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