Balloon flights put wind up onlookers

More perceived hot-air balloon incidents have been reported since the January 7 fatal crash in Carterton, but none have been of concern to the Civil Aviation Authority.

CAA spokeswoman Emma Peel said the increased awareness of balloon safety was to be expected following the tragedy but that none of the photos was "indicative of improper flying".

The Times-Age passed on photos to the CAA sent in by a reader who said she watched a balloon flying "scarily" close to powerlines during the Balloons over Wairarapa festival.

The reader, who did not wish to be named, said she witnessed a balloon flying within two metres of powerlines on Wyndham St, Carterton, on March 11.

The reader said she was "quite frankly terrified at the prospect of witnessing such a tragedy occurring again".

But on seeing the photos, the CAA said they were not concerned and that they appeared to show a balloon in "normal, decent profile".

"Since the Carterton accident, the CAA has received a number of similar images, all of which have indicated the deceptive effect of photography," Ms Peel said.

"An approach to land in this type of environment is a carefully planned exercise that non-pilots cannot be expected to appreciate."

Balloonist Michael Oakley of Darfield, who was flying the balloon, said at the time the photograph was taken he was considering landing in a park off Wyndham St, but changed his mind and flew on to a nearby subdivision.

He said at no time was he concerned about being too close to powerlines and that, like all balloonists, he followed rules set down by CAA and the NZ Ballooning Association.

Four Wyndham St residents who also saw the flight said they did not think the balloon was too close to powerlines.

Elizabeth Hubbard said although the balloons were quite low, she could "guarantee" they were not too close to the powerlines.

Jenny Gasson said that, while it was hard to tell from the ground what distance the balloon was from lines, she thought "everybody was really a bit paranoid" and she did not feel concerned watching the flight.