Overview
- A hot air balloon carrying 10 people made a hard landing in the Stewart Valley dry lake bed west of Pahrump and caught fire Thursday morning, leaving multiple occupants injured.
- Authorities say injuries include a severe head wound and several second- and third-degree burns, with reports of thermal burns, smoke inhalation and blunt‑force trauma.
- Limited cell reception at the remote site forced passengers and bystanders to text 911 and self-transport victims to Desert View Hospital, and responders found only the operator’s ground crew at the scene.
- The Federal Aviation Administration has opened a multi‑agency investigation and told reporters it expects to issue a preliminary incident report as investigators gather information.
- Some patients were later moved to Las Vegas hospitals for higher-level care, including surgery for serious injuries, and the probe could lead to safety reviews of commercial balloon operations.