Monday May 28, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

11 dead after hot air balloon crashes in New Zealand

World Jan. 07, 2012 - 07:00AM JST ( 14 )

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

Order by Time Order by Popularity

14 Comments

0

FadamorJan. 07, 2012 - 09:24AM JST

Sad. Sounds like the fuel line for the burner was compromised in some way. That's about the only way the SIDE of the basket could be on fire.
0

Elbuda MexicanoJan. 07, 2012 - 09:28AM JST

What a horrible way to die, I can not even imagine the terror of your balloon catching fire like that, poor folk down their in NZ, RIP
-7

peanut666Jan. 07, 2012 - 09:43AM JST

Most likely the fuel line was made in China. The U.S. had the same problems with propane gas lines for BBQ's.
0

smithinjapanJan. 07, 2012 - 12:03PM JST

This is absolutely horrible, and I simply can't imagine the last minute or so of those people's lives, nor the shock of the person who realized they were NOT screams of joy and saw them fall. Awful stuff. RIP to the victims.
1

Michael CapuzziJan. 07, 2012 - 12:26PM JST

i'm from Wellington, nearby where it happened. It was horrible waking up in the morning and seeing the people on the baloon yelling one miniute I was watching it take off I went inside to get a drink of water and a miniute later people are screaming and it was having smoke come out of it, I was horrifyed. this is tragic, this is hitting deep ... this is a very tough day and we will do it hard, but I have total confidence in Carterton, and total confidence in the Wairarapa to lock in behind the familys effected by this. We are still seeing Breaking Live on air news reports , The acident was the worst since 1979 when there was a Air New Zealand Erebus Disaster Flight 901, Killing 237 Passengers and 10 Crew.

Just Tragic :(
1

Christopher BlackwellJan. 07, 2012 - 12:31PM JST

I can't imagine a more horrible way to die then on fire. Poor people an it must be horrible for their family and friends as well. Also for the people who were watching and helpless to do anything about it.
1

CletusJan. 07, 2012 - 12:32PM JST

peanut666

Most likely the fuel line was made in China. The U.S. had the same problems with propane gas lines for BBQ's.

Considering that they now believe the ballon hit power lines and that is what caused the fire and crash your obvious China phobic comment seems way off the mark.

Rather than point the finger maybe we should be thinking of the poor families of the victims of what is a terrible accident not getting some anti China rhetoric in.
0

Michael CapuzziJan. 07, 2012 - 12:34PM JST

By the way, It struck a powerline.

From Resident in Wellington NZ.
0

CrazyJoeJan. 07, 2012 - 03:17PM JST

May God rest their souls.
0

Heda_MadnessJan. 07, 2012 - 05:57PM JST

Apparently some of the victims families were following the balloon in a car and saw it happen... you can't imagine what they must be going through. I've heard from an eyewitness that there was a clear problem with the balloon as the pilot was frantically pulling on the burner to get altitude though I'm not sure how much of an expert the eye witness is.

Whatever, it is a very, very sad day for Carterton. RIP to all of those who lost their lives today.
0

Ranger_Miffy2Jan. 07, 2012 - 07:46PM JST

This is just too horrific. Scratch "hot air ballooning" from my future "to do" list. Really horrid news.
0

lostrune2Jan. 09, 2012 - 05:53PM JST

It's like that airplane air-show crash in Nevada.
-1

peanut666Jan. 18, 2012 - 09:39AM JST

If the balloon hit a powerline and the propane line wasn't made in China, as well as other parts, they probably would of survived.
-1

peanut666Jan. 18, 2012 - 09:42AM JST

Obviously the hot air balloon's burner system was substandard or defective. If it wasn't for cheap Chinese parts they probably would of cleared the power lines with enough hot air generation. Instead they hit the power lines. If the burner system was properly maintained with quality parts they might of survived.