News Release
Oct. 2, 2003
Call PNM Immediately if a Balloon Touches
Power Line
Albuquerque: PNM officials are urging hot-air balloon
crews and balloon watchers to call the company immediately
if they see a balloon touch a power line during the Albuquerque
International Balloon Fiesta.
The number to call to report a balloon-power line incident
in the Albuquerque area is 246-5700.
Crews and onlookers should not attempt to remove a balloon
from a power line, as the line might be energized even after
a balloon becomes entangled. Making contact with a balloon
in this instance could result in electrocution for the person
trying to help as well as those in the balloon's gondola.
"The best way to help, if a balloon does hit a power
line, is to call us as soon as it happens," said PNM
Vice President John Myers. "Our emergency response crews
and outage response center are on a heightened state of alert
during this event, and only they can determine what needs
to be done to reduce the risk of electrocution."
Myers said PNM takes several precautions during the Balloon
Fiesta to reduce the risks associated with balloons taking
off and landing near power lines. These include:
- Positioning emergency response crews just outside Balloon
Fiesta grounds to enable a quick response in the event of
an incident;
- Placing two trained coordinators on the field every morning
to answer pilots' questions and to give real-time information
to the PNM outage response center on which direction balloons
are traveling; and
- Placing a special brochure on power-line safety in every
pilot's briefing packet.
Fact sheet
PNM wants you to have a safe and enjoyable time as a participant
in this year's Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. We
also want to make you aware of the dangers of overhead power
lines and offer safety tips that can help prevent ballooning
accidents.
When launching …
- Take note of any power lines in or near your launch area.
- Be aware of how much lift you'll need to safely clear
power lines.
- Allow for a minimum of 100 feet of horizontal travel from
power lines for each mile per hour of wind speed. For example,
if the wind speed is four miles per hour, the minimum distance
to the power line should be no less than 400 feet. These
are absolute minimums, and we highly encourage you to allow
for additional distance whenever possible.
- Avoid making high wind inflations with power lines down
wind.
When flying …
- Whey flying at low levels, always allow for enough ascent
to be able to cross power lines.
- Have everyone on board maintain a constant vigil for power
lines and other obstacles all around the balloon, especially
in the direction the balloon is moving.
- Always assume there will be power lines in the vicinity
of roads.
When landing …
- Do not land near power lines.
- Try not to land upwind (in front) of power lines.
- Due to reflection of the sun, power lines may not be visible.
Look for power poles or other structures that may be supporting
power lines.
- If your envelope comes in contact with a power line, immediately
shut off all fuel tanks. Remain in the center of the basket
and away from anything metallic. Do not attempt to remove
the balloon from power lines. If fire or another emergency
necessitates that you abandon the basket, jump clear of
the basket without touching the ground and the basket at
the same time.
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