Balloon owner fined after crash

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This article was published 03/07/2010 (5792 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The owner of a hot-air balloon that crashed near Birds Hill Provincial Park, leaving three people with burns, has been fined $5,000 by Transport Canada.

Sundance Balloons International Inc., was fined in May after an investigation by the federal aviation authority into the circumstances which led to the crash on Aug. 11, 2007.

Transport Canada’s conclusion was that Sundance operated the balloon “in such a reckless or negligent manner” to endanger the lives of the 11 passengers and pilot on board.

“Specifically, the company dispatched an aircraft when the weather conditions were unsuitable for the planned flight,” the document says.

The balloon was flying over the city when it ran into trouble while it was trying to land in a stiff wind.

It finally crashed into a farmer’s field before dragging the passengers and pilot along the ground for about half a kilometre before it exploded into flames.

Sundance general manager Barry McGonigle said the company accepts full responsibility and will not appeal the fine.

“Obviously, we wish the day had never happened,” McGonigle said Friday.

“Our hearts go out to everyone… thankfully, everybody survived.”

McGonigle said since the crash the company brings in an aviation weather expert every year to help train its balloon pilots.

“Our goal is to make sure our balloons are safe,” he said.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca