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

Verified

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 pilot was charged with homicide after a hot air balloon accident in Mexico City killed two passengers and injured a third, with the pilot reportedly fleeing the scene.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire and the operating company's licensing and insurance.
Despite hot air ballooning being generally safe, Mexico's potentially lax safety standards may contribute to a higher number of incidents there.
Past deadly accidents, such as the 2016 Lockhart, Texas crash, have led to stricter medical certification standards for hot air balloon pilots in the U.S.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.