Summary:
When we think of the air disasters that capture our curiosity and grip our hearts the most, these stories often involve large commercial jets. But sometimes air disasters don’t just involve airplanes. In this episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Shelly details the 2016 hot air balloon disaster that shocked and forever changed the community surrounding Lockhart, Texas, and reignited a debate about the oversight needed to ensure the safety of these adventure rides in the sky.Listen, Review, and Subscribe on:
Sources consulted for this story:
- John Tedesco for the San Antonio Express-News, December 9, 2016. NTSB: Pilot in Texas balloon crash that killed 16 was told conditions were dangerous before flight
- NTSB report on the disaster (2017), courtesy of KSAT 12 San Antonio
- Austin-American Statesman: The Lockhart hot air balloon crash victims
- Austin Monthly, October 2018: The Deadliest Hot Air Balloon Disaster in American History
- The Hill: FAA pressured to crack down on hot air balloons
- Hot air balloon with 16 aboard crashes in Texas; no survivors
- New Commercial Hot-Air Balloon Safety Program (2017), Federal Aviation Administration. Final regulations following the crash
- Sen. Cruz Applauds FAA for Implementing Critical Safety Measures for Commercial Balloon Pilots
Credits:
Written and produced by: Shelly Price and Stephanie HubkaDirected and engineered at: Snow Monster Studios
Sound editing by: Stephanie Hubka
Graphic design and website by: Adam Hubka
Music by: Mike Dunn
The passenger balloon basket, post-fire. Source: NTSB report, KSAT news
Flowers left at the site following the crash in memorial of the victims
The Hot Air Balloon at take off. Source: San Antonio Express-News
The hot air balloon in question resting on the ground after the crash. Source: CNN
