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Regina Itzani, broke her arm when she jumped from the fiery gondola. Despite her broken arm and second-degree burns, Itzani is expected to survive, the Daily Mail said. The family, from the city of Caujimalpa de Morelos, was on a joyride over the pre-Hispanic ruin site of Teotihuacan, a popular tourist area. It’s not clear if a pilot was on board the balloon, which appeared to still be tethered to the ground. The bystander’s video showed the basket flooded with flames. The balloon wilted quickly after, and the gondola hurtled to the ground as occupants appeared to either fall out...

Nichols suffered multiple medical problems including type II diabetes, depression and chronic pain from fibromyalgia. Some of those conditions should have prohibited him from operating an aircraft. As part of his treatment, he was taking 13 prescription medicines, many of which are also prohibited for pilots at the controls. A toxicology test performed on his body found seven different drugs in his blood and urine that were prohibited by the FAA, including oxycodone and the sedative diazepam, also known as Valium. Such drugs can impair brain function and motor controls, according to the NTSB documents. He had also been convicted...

Sixteen people died this morning when a large hot air balloon struck a high-voltage power line, caught fire and crashed in a pasture near Lockhart, Texas, according to Texas authorities and the Federal Aviation Administration said.

Stallworth is reportedly in stable condition, and suffered burns when the hot air balloon he was traveling in hit power lines. He was traveling in the hot air balloon with his girlfriend, and it's unknown whether or not she suffered any injuries as well. The New England Patriots signed Stallworth in 2012, but placed him on injured reserve after New England's Week 14 win over the Houston Texans. Stallworth suffered an ankle injury after hauling in a 63-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady, and unfortunately saw his season cut short as a result. The Patriots are believed to be interested...

A passenger falls out of a hot air balloon at the annual Balloon Fiesta

A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered her altitude and spotted a fisherman in a bass boat below. She shouted to him, 'Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am.' The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, 'You're in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above a ground elevation of 2346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude.' She rolled her eyes and...

Julian Nott and Jim Woodman tested their theory that manned smoke balloons of cotton and reed not only controlled these designs but may also have been used for ceremonial/religious festivals in which important members of the society who had died were transported on a ritualistic journey to the sun, the god they worshipped... "To our surprise," says Nott, "the quality of the smoke was crucial. Modern historians--laughing at the Montgolfiers, who believed that what was being burned to heat the balloon was important--claim that all that mattered was the heat. However, this balloon showed that it is essential to have...

British Balloonist Claims Altitude Record in Colorado Mar 23, 2004 By Ben Kieckhefer / Associated Press Writer DENVER (AP) - A British balloonist soared into the Colorado sky Tuesday in an open wicker basket, saying he reached 42,000 feet - nearly 8 miles - in what would be a world record for a gas and hot air balloon. David Hempleman-Adams took off from Greeley and landed about 3 1/2 hours later in a farmer's field near Akron, 100 miles east of Denver on the Colorado plains. The current altitude record for gas and hot air balloons is 38,507 feet, set...

We had some beautiful weather this weekend here in Northwest Connecticut and had the chance to see fellow freepers in action with the US Flag Balloon... Quite a site! I have put together some images from the fair, and made a desktop of the US Flag Balloon in flight... Perfect for making your desktop ready for the upcoming fourth of July Weekend! Click to see more pictures, or grab a desktop image.To find out more about the balloon visit www.usflagballoon.com

CALLING CONNECTICUT FREEPERS! ABNER'S BALLON WILL BE AT THE GOSHEN FAIR THIS WEEKEND, JUNE 27-29

Dateline: Tewksbury Massachusetts: Balloon PATRIOT, a Hot Air Balloon shaped like a Space Shuttle, was lifted into the air under hot air power today for a tethered lift at approcimately 14:30 hours Patriot is the new balloon owned by Freeper in Good Standing Abner and her loving Husband!

Last year we unveiled America One, the US Flag Balloon to great fanfare and a wonderful reception where ever we traveled. In September 2002 we decided that since America One had been such a great success, why not a space shuttle? So, in November with plans in hand we ordered 'Patriot'. This year we will be bringing both America One & Patriot all over the country and handing out pocket Constitutions. Check our event schedule often to see if we will be in your area. A Patriot preview! For more photos of the test flight of 'Patriot', you can go...

The year 2002 was a great one for Victim of Circumstance and I. We traveled the countryside with our US Flag Balloon, met lots of FReepers that we wouldn't have met and gave out lots of pocket Constitutions. The US flag Balloon is a great draw, and people are really eager for knowledge of their great Constitution. This year we are proud to announce a new shape and FReepers are some of the first to know what it is- Take a look at www.usflagballoon.com and find out for yourself what it is. We have a short Flash presentation you can...