Current：Home > StocksHot air balloon pilot safely lands on Vermont highway after mid-flight wind issues: Reports -Mastery Money Tools
Hot air balloon pilot safely lands on Vermont highway after mid-flight wind issues: Reports
EchoSense View
Date：2025-04-10 11:40:31
A hot air balloon pilot in Vermont was able to safely land earlier this week near a busy highway after the aircraft became stalled in mid-air, according to multiple news reports.
Video shows motorists driving by the massive hot air balloon moments after it landed Wednesday night on Interstate-91 in the Upper Valley, an area that straddles the Connecticut River between New Hampshire and Vermont.
A nationwide destination for balloonists, the Upper Valley is home to the summertime Quechee Balloon Festival.
More Vermont news:Police discover body in shallow grave in man's backyard
Several passengers had been aboard the aircraft for a sight-seeing sunset balloon ride before the winds unexpectedly shifted direction, preventing the balloon's pilot from landing at the target location, multiple news outlets reported. Instead, the pilot was forced to land on the median of the bustling highway, which authorities had to close down.
USA TODAY left a message Friday afternoon with the Hartford Fire Department that was not immediately returned.
Prior to the landing, motorists reported seeing the balloon hovering just 30 feet over the roadway.
The balloon remained inflated until the left lanes in both directions were closed, and the highway was restricted to one lane for around 25 minutes while the balloon was deflated and packed up, the Valley News reported.
The pilot was identified in news reports as veteran balloonist Chris Ritland, a pilot at Quechee Balloon Rides, a tourism company offering scenic rides over Vermont's picturesque villages, farms, and covered bridges. Ritland, who has been flying balloons for 10 years, holds a commercial pilot certificate from Federal Aviation Administration and is certified to instruct trainee pilots, according to the company's website.
USA TODAY could not immediately reach Quechee Balloon Rides on Friday.
Shark attack:Surfer attacked in Australia by suspected great white shark hospitalized, clinging to life
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected].
veryGood！ (2847)
Related
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- Fearing Their Kids Will Inherit Dead Coral Reefs, Scientists Are Urging Bold Action
- Extreme Heat Is Worse For Low-Income, Nonwhite Americans, A New Study Shows
- Caterina Scorsone's Grey's Anatomy Family Sends Her Love After Devastating Fire
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Justine Bateman’s Message on Aging Gracefully Is Beyond Refreshing
- Everything I Got at Ulta's Sale That I’d Paid Full Price For: St. Tropez, Iconic London, Tarte, and More
- 8 workers apparently tried to quit their jobs at a drug cartel call center. They were killed and their body parts were placed in bags.
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- One reporter's lonely mission to keep facts flowing in China, where it's hard now to get real news
Ranking
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Belarus now has Russian nuclear weapons three times more powerful than those used on Japan, leader says
- Dwyane Wade Asks Daughter Zaya to Change His Phone Contact to This After Hall of Fame Honor
- Philippines' Mayon Volcano spews lava as locals prepare to evacuate in case of explosion
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu accused in corruption trial of pushing legislation to help Hollywood friend
- Putin says Russia will deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus, Ukraine's neighbor to the north, in early July
- Rare Roman mausoleum unearthed at London development site
Recommendation
Bodycam footage shows high
How Wynonna Judd Honored Late Mom Naomi at CMT Music Awards 2023
Pope Francis meets young cancer patients at hospital before his expected discharge after abdominal surgery
Gwyneth Paltrow Ski Trial Juror Addresses Whether Her Fame Affected Verdict Decision
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
Golfer Adam Hadwin tackled by security while celebrating Nick Taylor's Canadian Open win
A virgin crocodile made herself pregnant in a first for her species, researchers say
American woman injured in fatal attack on fellow American tourist near German castle released from hospital