Balloons take flight with several minor crashes on day 1 of Balloon Fiesta
It’s the first day of the 2026 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Officials and pilots are gathering at Balloon Fiesta Park to monitor the weather and prepare for the first mass ascension of the year.
Here are the top happenings at Balloon Fiesta today:
- A balloon crashed into power lines near Balloon Fiesta Park
- Jonathan Trappe launched from Balloon Fiesta Park in a cluster balloon for the first time
- Michael Glenn, piloting Joelly Bee, will fly with Cody Unser to bring awareness to disability issues and share their stories of perseverance to never let anything stop you
Balloon Crashes
Seven minor balloon crashes took place on Saturday, according to a New Mexico Police spokesperson. KOAT captured the aftermath from three of those crashes.
One balloon crashed into powerlines south of Balloon Fiesta Park on Saturday morning.
KOAT tower cameras caught the incident soon after it happened.
Action 7 News has been told those who were in the basket are safe and the balloon was removed from the power line.
A second crash happened near the 3700 block of Hawkins Street NE. The balloon clipped a power line as it was making its landing. No one was injured.
Another crash occurred near the Cinemark Century Rio Plex and XD Theater on Pan American Freeway NE. That balloon clipped a light pole as it was making its landing. There were no injuries.
Cluster balloon lifts off
The cluster balloon, piloted by Jonathan Trappe, took flight shortly before the field was closed for launch in the morning.
Inflation for the balloon began a few hours after midnight on Saturday morning.
