A hot air balloon collided with a casino building in the Sacramento area on Monday afternoon. The balloon remained in the air for about 20 minutes after the chaotic incident was captured by LiveCopter 3. The collision occurred while Sky River Casino was hosting an event to mark the beginning of construction for a new hotel. Video footage shows the balloon’s basket hitting the building, even reaching a 90-degree angle at one point with a person still inside.
The balloon continued to fly, attempting to land before ultimately deciding to ascend again into the sky. LiveCopter 3 witnessed the crash at 12:10 p.m., and by 12:29 p.m., the balloon safely landed in a field near Grant Line and Waterman roads. The basket was on its side, and the cloth was deflated.
The incident was attributed to unexpected heavy winds, leading the pilot to launch into free flight following safety protocols, according to a statement from Sky River Casino. Despite hitting a powerline before landing, the pilot emerged unharmed, and there were no other passengers on board. The Elk Grove Police Department reported the incident to the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
For more details and footage of the incident, refer to the video below.
