Wind Shift, Downdraft Wrecked Balloons

What we assumed was the cause of the major balloon accident near Teton Village Monday is now listed in the Federal Aviation Administration’s report as the cause of the incident. According to the FAA Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing report, the aircraft crashed after experiencing 180-degree wind shift and strong downdraft, causing rapid descent.” Of the 36 passengers distributed among the three balloons, 11 were transported to the hospital with varying degrees of injury, with the worst of those being a head injury to one individual who was sent to Eastern Idaho Medical Center.

Jackson Hole Radio