Saturday, October 04, 2003
Gas Balloon Race on 24-Hour Hold
America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race Rescheduled to 5 PM Sunday
Albuquerque, NM - Oct. 4, 2003 - The America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race, originally scheduled to launch Saturday evening, has been placed on a 24-hour hold. Launch is now expected at approximately 5:00 PM MDT on Sunday, October 5. The America's Challenge launch will precede the Balloon Glow already scheduled for Sunday evening.
Officials decided to postpone the launch because of the possibility of convective activity lingering in the Albuquerque area this evening, and because showers and thunderstorms are continuing to the east of the Sandia Mountains and into Texas along the balloons' expected flight path. The 24-hour delay will enable the pilots to take advantage of improving weather conditions.
Pilots will receive updated weather and information at a briefing scheduled for 10 AM tomorrow.
Source: Kathie Leyendecker, Balloon Fiesta Director of Media and Community Relations (505) 821-1000 or (505) 228-9874
Albuquerque, NM - Oct. 4, 2003 - The America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race, originally scheduled to launch Saturday evening, has been placed on a 24-hour hold. Launch is now expected at approximately 5:00 PM MDT on Sunday, October 5. The America's Challenge launch will precede the Balloon Glow already scheduled for Sunday evening.
Officials decided to postpone the launch because of the possibility of convective activity lingering in the Albuquerque area this evening, and because showers and thunderstorms are continuing to the east of the Sandia Mountains and into Texas along the balloons' expected flight path. The 24-hour delay will enable the pilots to take advantage of improving weather conditions.
Pilots will receive updated weather and information at a briefing scheduled for 10 AM tomorrow.
Source: Kathie Leyendecker, Balloon Fiesta Director of Media and Community Relations (505) 821-1000 or (505) 228-9874
Balloon Makes Safe Emergency Landing After Mechanical Malfunction
No Major Injuries or Damage Reported at Rare Hard Landing at Balloon Fiesta
Albuquerque, NM - Oct. 4, 2003 - Today the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta announced that no major injuries or damage were sustained when one of the registered balloons had to make an emergency hard landing.
"Balloon malfunctions are rare, but they have been known to happen," explained Paul Smith, executive director of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. "We are pleased to report that both the pilot and his passenger have not sustained any major injuries."
At 8:45 a.m. this morning, during a mass ascension of nearly 700 balloons, one of the pilots, just moments after launching, lost his pilot light and did not relight the flame. His gondola made a hard landing by one of the concession stands.
"Everyone, from the pilot to the medical emergency crew to the chase crew, everyone did exactly what they are supposed to do in case of an emergency just like this," said Art Swenka, president of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Board of Directors. "We are so pleased that no one was harmed."
After an initial assessment by emergency medical staff, the pilot and his passenger were taken to Lovelace Medical Center for observation. The chase crew packed up the balloon, which was not significantly harmed.
Source: Kathie Leyendecker, Balloon Fiesta Director of Media and Community Relations
(505) 821-1000 or (505) 228-9874
Albuquerque, NM - Oct. 4, 2003 - Today the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta announced that no major injuries or damage were sustained when one of the registered balloons had to make an emergency hard landing.
"Balloon malfunctions are rare, but they have been known to happen," explained Paul Smith, executive director of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. "We are pleased to report that both the pilot and his passenger have not sustained any major injuries."
At 8:45 a.m. this morning, during a mass ascension of nearly 700 balloons, one of the pilots, just moments after launching, lost his pilot light and did not relight the flame. His gondola made a hard landing by one of the concession stands.
"Everyone, from the pilot to the medical emergency crew to the chase crew, everyone did exactly what they are supposed to do in case of an emergency just like this," said Art Swenka, president of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Board of Directors. "We are so pleased that no one was harmed."
After an initial assessment by emergency medical staff, the pilot and his passenger were taken to Lovelace Medical Center for observation. The chase crew packed up the balloon, which was not significantly harmed.
Source: Kathie Leyendecker, Balloon Fiesta Director of Media and Community Relations
(505) 821-1000 or (505) 228-9874
