ROCHESTER, Minn. — A hot-air balloon struck a powerline while landing near Rochester Wednesday, triggering a fire while sending the pilot and two passengers tumbling to the ground in the balloon basket.
Rochester police say the incident happened shortly before 7 p.m. just off Highway 63 near 40th Street. The pilot was reportedly trying to land in an open field when a gust of wind pushed the balloon into a powerline. A MnDOT camera shows the balloon hanging from the line for a few seconds before the basket breaks off, plunging some 30 feet to the ground with three people inside.
Sparks from the powerline then triggered a brush fire, which was quickly extinguished by fire crews. First responders met with the pilot and passengers, who were not seriously injured.
The balloon itself drifted off to the southeast and was eventually located a few miles away.
Police say both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident.
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