What was supposed to be a celebratory ceremony for a new hotel at California’s Sky River Casino turned into a heart-stopping spectacle on Monday afternoon when a hot air balloon slammed directly into the side of the casino building.
Dramatic video captured by KCRA 3’s LiveCopter 3 shows the balloon, which launched from an empty parking lot at the casino near Elk Grove south of Sacramento — getting caught by a sudden gust of wind and careening into the structure around 12:10 p.m.
The basket struck the building at a sharp angle — tilting nearly 90 degrees at one point — while the lone pilot remained inside. One suspension wire appeared to snap, while the balloon’s skirt and wind guard were shredded.
Bystanders and casino staff can be seen scattering as the balloon bounces off the wall, then floats upward and drifts southeastward.
The pilot, the only person aboard, fought to control the runaway balloon for nearly 20 minutes. He attempted a landing once but aborted it after nearly hitting power lines and highway traffic.
The balloon eventually touched down safely in an open field near Grant Line and Waterman roads, leaving the basket tipped on its side.
Miraculously, no one was injured, including the pilot and casino bystanders, while the video of the incident appeared to show only minor damage to the building’s exterior.
Sky River Casino spokesperson Cindy Rodriguez said in a statement: “Due to unexpected heavy winds, the pilot chose to launch into free flight in accordance with safety protocols. The balloon and pilot have landed safely.”
Elk Grove police confirmed the balloon made an unplanned launch after being hit by strong gusts that weren’t fully forecasted.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have been notified about the incident. The balloon was part of the festivities for the groundbreaking of the casino’s new hotel expansion project.
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