‘Pretty scary’: Hot air balloon comes down on homes in Elwood

A hot air balloon has come down in an Elwood front yard on its maiden journey.

The balloon is draped across several properties in Tiuna Grove.

There were a dozen passengers on board at the time.

Thankfully, no one was injured.

Liberty Flights pilot Nick Braw says there was a malfunction with the balloon.

“I don’t know what caused it basically but the valve that releases hot air from the top, which we use to maneuver the balloon, didn’t seal properly,” he told Neil Mitchell.

“I was aiming for the beach but we didn’t make it by about 200 metres.”

Mr Braw, who’s been flying for 27 years, says this is the first time he’s come down like this.

Press PLAY below to hear from the balloon pilot 

Nicola was walking her dog when she saw the balloon coming down.

“It was pretty scary,” she told Ross and Russel.

“It looked like it was trying to make it to the beach but it obviously didn’t get there.”

Karen, who lives in the street, heard the landing.

“I thought it was a garbage man collecting the garbage bins!,” she said.

“Apparently it was their third attempt at landing.”

Press PLAY below to hear from witnesses

Image (left): 9News

Hot air balloon pilot Nick speaking with firefighters after this morning’s mishap in Elwood. All passengers walked away uninjured but reluctant to get on board a balloon again. @3AW693 pic.twitter.com/LAA3LmgXsQ

— Pat Mitchell (@patty_mitchell) April 19, 2022