(Photo: Rochester Fire Department)
ROCHESTER, Minn. – The National Transportation Safety Board has determined the cause of a hot air balloon crash that started a fire in a Rochester field in March.
Officials say the crash happened because the “pilot failed to maintain clearance from power lines while landing in a field.”
The report analysis says the pilot reported that the wind “shifted and increased in speed” as he was trying to land the hot air balloon in a field. The pilot then tried to abort the landing but could not stop the balloon’s descent.
A crew member and a passenger both sustained minor injuries. Another person on board was not injured.
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