Hot Air Balloon Pilot Charged in Deadly Accident

The scenic flight was to view the ruins of Teotihuacan near Mexico City.

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 01:22 PM ET

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The accident occurred during a sightseeing joy ride over the Teotihuacan ruin site—a popular tourist—area when the balloon’s basket caught fire. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

A hot air balloon accident in Mexico City on April 1 killed two passengers and injured a third when the basket caught fire, leading to the pilot being charged with homicide.
The pilot reportedly fled the scene and is now in pre-trial detention, while investigators are examining the incident's cause and the operating company's licensing and insurance.
Despite hot air balloon travel being generally considered safe with rare accidents, the incident raises concerns about potentially lax safety standards in Mexico compared to countries like the U.S.

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A pilot was charged with homicide following a deadly hot air balloon accident on April 1 in Mexico City that killed two passengers and injured another.

The accident occurred during a sightseeing joy ride over the Teotihuacan ruin site—a popular tourist—area when the balloon’s basket caught fire. Jose Nolasco, 50, and his wife Viridiana Becerril, 38, died in the fire, while their 13-year-old daughter, Regina Itzani, jumped more than 130 feet, suffering a broken arm and second-degree burns, according to the Associated Press.