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Littleton [Change Location]

Hot air balloon almost crashes into highway

Article Contributed on: 9/30/2006 3:55:33 PM

A hot air balloon that launched from Chatfield Reservoir almost crashed into C-470 between Kipling and Bowles Saturday morning 9/30/06.

Fortunately no one was apparently hurt in the incident.

Guidelines: Be kind. Abusive commentary may be removed. If you believe someone has been abusive, please click "Report Abuse".

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Showing 1-8 of 8 comments
Charmaine Robledo wrote on 10/6/2006 @ 3:09:06 PM

Michael, thanks for posting your photos. This has certainly gained some fame among the ballooning community. I invite one of you who commented to start your own column about ballooning so we may educate each other.
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Russ . wrote on 10/4/2006 @ 6:15:00 PM

I know both pilots, and neither one was "crashing". Also, I was there on Saturday, and nobody was in trouble. Balloons cross 470 all the time. The video that Mr. Robinson referenced was not even the same balloon in his pictures. Cool video of a normal safe landing. I am sure it might look otherwise to non balloonists, but that was indeed a safe landing. In fact, the crew was even there to catch the basket as it landed. This is no incident as Mr. Robinson states. Mr. Robinson, I invite you to join us sometime at Chatfield. The ballooning community is a great group of people that would love to help you learn all there is about ballooning. It is an easy sport to get hooked on.
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G Haynes wrote on 10/4/2006 @ 2:57:08 PM

So nice photos, nice video, two completly different balloons. Video wasn't shot by 9News but by a viewer. No story every ran on the station. Jounralism is a funny thing. Many journalists don't check their facts.
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Michael Robinson wrote on 10/4/2006 @ 1:16:59 PM

I am sorry for the seemingly offensive story to the Hot Air Balloon community, but I am not the only one who captured this balloon incident and was concerned. 9news.com ran a story on the same incident complete with a video. See 9/30/06 story on 9news.com. To See the Video go to http://www.9news.com/includes/buildasx.aspx?fn=http://wm.kusa.gannett.edgestreams.net/news/1159637318385-09-30-06-Balloon.wmv&sp=http://wm.kusa.gannett.edgestreams.net/ads/sales/pre-stream/elite-may06.wmv
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Marty Hill wrote on 10/4/2006 @ 9:49:24 AM

Mr. Robinson, thanks for your interest in ballooning, and don't worry about being offensive! Balloonists hold the worlds records on being offensive. In this instance, or any circumstance where you are reporting to others, you could have checked the facts with the pilot or passengers to see if there was any reason for your concern. I hope you will visit the launch site at Chatfield Res. at sun up some nice morning and get to know ballooning! Things aren't always as they seem!
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Alan Luksik wrote on 10/2/2006 @ 7:00:25 PM

Mr. Robinson, Hot air balloons, unlike airplanes, do not use runways or airports to launch or land. We use large, open fields. When we land a balloon, we allow the balloon to cool down which allows the balloon to decend. By adding heat from our burners, we can control this decent until we touch down on the ground. What you photographed is a normal approach to a landing area on the north side of C-470. This pilots passengers experienced a very enjoyable flight and landing. As President of the Colorado Balloon Club I invite you contact me if you wish to learn about hot air balloons or desire additional information. Sincerely, Alan Luksik
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Marlene Godlevsky wrote on 10/2/2006 @ 6:41:21 PM

Obviously, Mr. Robinson knows nothing at all about ballooning. This pilot is above 470 and was crossing over the highway setting himself up to make a calculated and safe landing. Of course no one was hurt in this non-incident. Maybe Mr. Robinson should wander out to Chatfield one morning and find out a bit more about ballooning before attempting to write anything factual.
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Dawnna Telles wrote on 10/2/2006 @ 4:32:33 PM

Mr. Robinson shouldn't write about something he obviously knows nothing about. The pictures show a balloon maintaining a level flight path over a highway. Does Mr. Robinson look up at airplanes in the air and think they are crashing because they aren't on the ground? Mr. Robinson should attend a Colorado Balloon Club meeting and learn something about the sport.
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Showing 1-8 of 8 comments