Aircraft Were Flying Low Over A Residential Neighborhood

Two hot air balloon pilots were forced to land their aircraft by San Bernardino County (CA) Sheriff's deputies after they received 911 calls that the balloons were flying "dangerously close" to houses in the Yucaipa neighborhood Tuesday morning.

The Redlands Daily Facts reports that, according to a SBCSO news release, the two pilots were "found be hot air balloon enthusiasts, and were flying their privately owned balloons for personal use.”

The 911 calls began shortly before 0800 local time, according to the report. When deputies arrived in the neighborhood, they spotted the balloons flying over the golf course "at times coming within 5 feet of rooftops and hitting trees," officials said. The deputies got the attention of the balloon pilots and asked them to land immediately. One came down in a school baseball field, the other in a nearby orange grove. The deputies interviewed the pilots and will forward their reports to the FAA for investigation.

Officials have not found any indicated that the balloons damaged any property, and there were no injuries.

(Image provided by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office)

FMI: Original report