Albuquerque, United States - October 11, 2024

In a startling incident during this year's Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, a hot air balloon collided with and toppled an AM radio station's antenna on October 11, 2024. The dramatic event, captured on video by photographer Curt Fargo, unfolded as balloons participated in a landing competition near Balloon Fiesta Park.

The balloon in question, named Blue Moon and piloted by Dan Ewer from Tucson, Arizona, continued its flight post-collision, ultimately landing safely. Thankfully, there were no injuries reported, and the balloon appeared unscathed, a fortunate outcome for the three occupants aboard.

Fargo, who switched his camera to video mode just moments before the incident, captured the entire sequence, from the collision to the tower's collapse. His footage quickly became a focal point, with local TV stations eager to obtain copies for broadcast. "It's quite the coincidence," Fargo remarked on the rarity of such an event coinciding with his first attempts at video recording.

The affected radio tower, responsible for transmitting signals for KKOB-AM, is no stranger to such incidents, having been struck by another balloon in 2004. That earlier collision resulted in a dramatic rescue from the tower for the pilot and two children aboard.

The Federal Aviation Administration has initiated an investigation into the incident, marking it as the second time in two decades that this particular tower has been compromised during the balloon festival.

Kevin Carhart from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the details of the event, emphasizing the safety measures taken. Although homes near the tower were evacuated as a precaution, no mandatory evacuations were necessary.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, renowned for its vibrant display of over 100 balloons and attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors, has seen its share of challenges this year, including a power outage affecting nearly 13,000 customers earlier in the week.