| NEW FEATURE : Click HERE to see member images collected at the Scheduled January 21 Club Photo Opportunity Trip to the Cave Creek/Carefree Hot Air Balloon Festival, which turned into something totally unexpected. All was calm when the balloons began to inflate, but then suddenly the wind picked up and became strong enough to deflate the already expanded and tethered balloons one by one. On one of the balloons (Spiderman Pig), the wind forced the basket upright so suddenly it placed a massive strain on the thick tether tied to the support truck. There was a loud bang as the eye bolt on the tether failed, and the support crew and pilot were lifted off the ground unable to hold the balloon in place. The balloon took off nearly horizontally and looked to be on a collision course with the crowd, where several FHPC members were standing (Mike Isenberg, Cheryl Smith and Bruce Boyce). Luckily the pilot, who should be lauded as a hero, was able to blast the burners enough to clear the packed crowd and climb the balloon while it was partially aflame! The pilot brought the balloon down a fraction of a mile away, and suffered only slight injuries. |
| It all happened in just a few seconds, and our members present were so close that the balloon passed directly overhead, making it difficult to take clear, in focus images of the entire event. Nevertheless, the member pictures in the gallery show a part of the balloon on fire at the base of the airbag as it passed overhead (it was low enough to whack a light pole, causing the pole to oscillate violently for a good 30 seconds). |
