Family Injured After Hot Air Balloon Ride Ends in Crash

Vehicle Fire Pahrump Nevada in Pahrump, Nevada: A hot air balloon carrying multiple passengers, including a family visiting from Mississippi, crashed during a hard landing in the Stewart Valley dry lake west of Pahrump, Nevada, on June 18, 2026, around 6:30 a.m. The basket tipped while still hovering over the ground and was hit by a gust of wind, causing it to bounce on the ground and catch fire. Several people were injured, including one person in critical condition and others suffering second- and third-degree burns, head injuries, and other trauma. The FAA and Nye County Sheriff's Office are investigating the crash.