Hot air balloon crashes with 9 people on board celebrating a birthday in North Phoenix
PHOENIX - Crews in Phoenix had to deal with a crash involving a hot air balloon on the morning of Dec. 7.
The crash happened near Dove Valley Road and Interstate 17. Video taken in the area show the balloon apparently descending into a backyard after hitting a streetlight.
At the time of the crash, nine people were inside the balloon's basket.
"I found this empty lot, would be the perfect site to land in after the winds changed direction," said the pilot. "We initially anticipated the basket was flying on the ground. The envelope just snagged a little bit on the light pole."
Video taken by a person living at a home near the crash site shows the balloon snagged on a light pole before eventually collapsing and draping over a portion of the home.
The balloon's pilot said he was planning to land in a vacant lot.
Homeowner Kara Giugliano had a front row seat to a rough hot air balloon landing.
"Oh my gosh.. oh my gosh. It just ripped. It just ripped," she said. "It's about to go on top of our house. Oh my gosh… what do I do?
Giugliano describes the crash as happening in slow motion.
"What the.. oh my gosh.. are you seeing this? Come on, turn on."
The balloon eventually collapsed and was draping over a portion of her home.
"I was just sitting on my couch, right there, nursing my baby, and I'm used to seeing hot air balloons right outside this window, which I thought was really cool. This one was right outside. The basket was just above the light post."
The landing was rough for the nine people on board the balloon, but they're thankful to be walking away with no injuries.
"I'm fine we're all fine thankfully and yes it was a little bit scary and our prayers were answered."
The pilot for Hot Air Expeditions says he was getting to the end of his fuel supply, which is why he chose the empty lot next to the home.
"The basket was flying on the ground, but then the envelope just snagged a little bit of the light pole and that's what caused all of this."
The balloon's passengers were celebrating a birthday and are glad to be able to celebrate more after what happened.
"We were very happy to land."
Meanwhile, the only damage was to the light pole, which SRP crews are working to repair.