Several Hot Air Balloon Accidents Raise Questions

Randy Walton

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Several recent hot-air balloon accidents, including one that killed an Oceanside woman, are raising questions about the safety of this romanticized recreational activity. Here in San Diego, it's not uncommon to see a half a dozen balloons drifting in the North County sunsets during summer and fall.

The owners of Sky Surfer, a local hot air balloon company, told NBC 7/39 that hot-air balloon accidents are very rare. The key to safety is to know that your pilot is very experienced and knowledgeable, and can act quickly in case of an emergency.

"If you're a private pilot who has had 20 hours of flying experience, that's a lot to handle," said Connie Von Zweck, owner of Sky Surfer. "And that's how, in my opinion, things happen in a situation like Albuquerque. You don't hear that around here."

"There's three aspects of safety: equipment, pilot and ground crew," Connie said. Her husband Tiemo added, "I've been flying since the '70s. I have over 3,700 flights. I've never had an accident. It's judgment. It's judgment when to go, when not to go."

In the United States, there are approximately 7,500 hot air balloons in operation, and balloon pilots must have a pilot certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration.