topic Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash? in Community Chat

Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

Kachina624 — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 23:21:10 GMT

This past June a hot air balloon crashed in the middle of a busy intersection, killing the pilot and two middle age couples who'd received the ride as a gift. It was a perfect day for the flight and experts were baffled as to how it could have happened.

Yesterday the FAA released the results of the toxicology tests on the pilot, an older, highly respected, experienced man. The man had high levels of Marijuana and cocaine, so high they could have been fatal. To think his passengers trusted their lives with him. Now there's talk about requiring testing of all hot air balloon pilots. This would greatly increase the cost of participating in the sport. So be it.

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

chickenbutt — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 23:25:14 GMT

Wow, how awful! I had not heard about this but it's so tragic and the part that always angers me is when it could have been avoided, in lieu of the unacceptable behavior of this guy who caused the deaths of two innocent people who probably had no idea he was wasted.

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

AuntG — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 23:25:33 GMT

That saddens me no end. Can't imagine what he was thinking, although he might have been impaired many times. Just think of what we sometimes hear about airline pilots

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

millieshops — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 23:27:35 GMT

@Kachina624 why shouldn't testing be required of anyone piloting a commercial vehicle

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

Kachina624 — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 23:45:46 GMT

@chickenbutt wrote:
Wow, how awful! I had not heard about this but it's so tragic and the part that always angers me is when it could have been avoided, in lieu of the unacceptable behavior of this guy who caused the deaths of two innocent people who probably had no idea he was wasted.

@chickenbutt Four innocent people, two couples. Five deaths total. Plus his family is horrified and humiliated

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

Kachina624 — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 23:47:16 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
@Kachina624 why shouldn't testing be required of anyone piloting a commercial vehicle

@millieshops It should

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

millieshops — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 23:52:16 GMT

@Kachina624 we agree but I just Googled about testing for commercial pilots. Makes me glad to put both feet on the ground!

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

SilleeMee — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 23:55:22 GMT

Balloon pilots don't need to pass medical exams like other pilots either and that can pose a risk for their passengers if the pilot has medical issues which could cause flight incompetence.

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

Carmie — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 00:42:25 GMT

That is too bad. What a horrible accident that could have been avoided.

I am scared to death of heights and would never ride in a balloon. But, I would love to see the balloon festival from the ground. That has been on my travel list for many years.

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

KingstonsMom — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 01:13:33 GMT

@Kachina624

I DO remember that article and the pictures, so sad.

Even worse to know that this is why it happened, so senseless.

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

Kachina624 — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 01:59:42 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
That is too bad. What a horrible accident that could have been avoided.

I am scared to death of heights and would never ride in a balloon. But, I would love to see the balloon festival from the ground. That has been on my travel list for many years.

@Carmie Pack your bags; it starts bight and early October 2nd. It's broadcast live by at least 2 local TV stations, which you can stream on your computer. KOB-TV AND KOAT-TV. THEY'LL start televising about 6am MDT. It'll be on every morning through the 10th. Although it's just down the road a bit, I lie in bed and watch it.

Thank God, it's back!

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

proudlyfromNJ — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 02:07:51 GMT

When my sister lived in Colorado she would help fold up the deflated balloons and pack them or whatever was done and she would get free balloon rides.

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

Carmie — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 02:11:39 GMT

@Kachina624 I will see if I can watch online. I, of course would love to see it in person. Since COVID, we put travel on hold.

I have been all over the world and the US, but never to NM. I really want to visit in person.

How lucky you are to be able to see the balloons from your bed. I am jealous.

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

Kachina624 — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 02:23:10 GMT

@Carmie Every year several hundred people show up in their RVs, get to park across the street from the Fiesta grounds and work a couple of weeks as volunteers. By all accounts, they have a blast. The balloons take off right over their heads.

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

HonestLife — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 07:20:52 GMT

@Kachina624 maybe you should Google it?

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

lynnie61 — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 10:05:50 GMT

I’m going to try to watch online.

In the 90’s I was “surprised” with a balloon ride on vacation in Colorado. I did go up, it was peaceful and absolutely beautiful, but my gosh, I was glad to have my feet back on the ground. The pilot toasted us with champagne when we were back on the ground, which then scared me even more.

@Kachina624 I bet it is beautiful in person.

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

riley1 — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 11:45:10 GMT

That was such a tragedy. And, I would bet this isn't the first time he has done this. Yes, anyone piloting a craft whether plane or balloon, should be tested.

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

SunValley — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 13:30:17 GMT

What a terrible revelation. Impaired people are a menace.

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 15:26:36 GMT

I saw this on GMA this morning. How horrible.

I never knew and still dont know, what the testing requirements are for a commercial pilot. But I know mechanics have reported finding weed in the cockpot.

Think about all the truck drivers on the road too, some of whom are impaired. You can't test everyone everyday.

Re: Remember the Albuquerque Balloon Crash?

chickenbutt — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 15:54:26 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:

@chickenbutt wrote:
Wow, how awful! I had not heard about this but it's so tragic and the part that always angers me is when it could have been avoided, in lieu of the unacceptable behavior of this guy who caused the deaths of two innocent people who probably had no idea he was wasted.

@chickenbutt Four innocent people, two couples. Five deaths total. Plus his family is horrified and humiliated

Oh geez, I'm so sorry for misstating that. I clearly didn't pay attention to the entirety of the story. Thank You for correcting me.