A Hot-Air Balloon Lands in a Temecula Backyard with Guests Onboard
Hot-Air Balloon Unexpectedly Lands in Temecula Backyard
A Temecula couple experienced an unusual surprise on Saturday morning when a hot-air balloon made an unplanned landing in their backyard. Hunter and Jenna Perrin were engaged in their morning routine, watching television and practicing yoga, when they received an alert from their security camera at approximately 8:30 a.m. A knock at the door soon followed.
“I opened the door, and he goes, ‘They just landed in your backyard.’ And I was like, ‘What do you mean?’ And he goes, ‘The balloon,’” Hunter Perrin recounted.
When they stepped outside, the Perrins were greeted by a hot-air balloon with a basket carrying about a dozen passengers, resting on their lawn.
“They were very friendly. It was just so hard to comprehend what was happening,” Hunter said.
While the couple had seen hot-air balloons in the distance during their two years living in the neighborhood, they were unaware that their property was on a designated flight path.
“I was amazed that they missed our tree. They missed our house. They’re practically kissing the fence,” Jenna Perrin noted.
According to the pilot, an emergency landing was necessitated when the winds died down, causing the balloon to hover and ultimately run out of fuel. The passengers were asked to exit the basket while additional fuel tanks arrived, a process that took approximately two hours.
“It was like something from Pixar’s ‘Up’—that’s what it looked like,” Jenna remarked. “At one point, they positioned it so well as it was coming up, it looked like our house could just go with it.”
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and there was no damage to the property.
“The pilot did a really good job making sure everyone was safe, and we’re just glad that we can all laugh about it now,” Hunter said.
Despite the unexpected adventure, the Perrins are in no rush to take a hot-air balloon ride themselves anytime soon.
“Although if they did land in our backyard again, it would be nice,” Hunter added. “We could just get out there.”
“Yeah, we wouldn’t have to drive home,” Jenna chimed in.
