A hot air balloon struck and collapsed the iconic KKOB radio tower in Albuquerque’s North Valley on Friday morning during the city’s famed Balloon Fiesta. According to Bernalillo County Fire Rescue (BCFR) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the balloon hit the tower shortly after launching from Balloon Fiesta Park, causing the structure to fall and forcing KKOB-AM (News Radio 770) off the air.

The balloon had three passengers aboard, including pilot Dan Ewer from Tucson. Fortunately, all occupants safely landed nearby in a front yard, with no reported injuries. Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies, along with FAA officials, met the balloon crew at the landing site. The FAA has launched an investigation and will issue a preliminary report in the coming days.

The collapse led to a power outage at the site as PNM, the local utility provider, shut off the electricity to assess the damage. While two homes were briefly evacuated, no property was damaged aside from the tower itself. A second nearby tower remained unaffected.

This marks the second time in 20 years that a KKOB radio tower has been struck by a hot air balloon during Albuquerque’s balloon festival. KKOB owner Cumulus Media is currently assessing the damage and working on cleanup efforts. The station remains off the air as repairs are underway.