4 dead, 1 injured in hot air balloon crash in Eloy. Here's what we know

Four people died and one was injured after a hot air balloon operated by Droplyne Hot Air Balloon Rides crashed in Eloy on Sunday morning.

While the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration were still investigating the fatal crash, here's what we know so far.

Victims: 4 people killed in Eloy hot air balloon crash identified

What happened in the hot air balloon crash?

The hot air balloon was identified as a Kubicek BB 85 by the National Transportation Safety Board, one of the federal agencies investigating the crash. In a statement Monday, the NTSB said the air balloon crashed at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday after an "unspecified problem with its envelope."

The balloon was carrying 13 people when it took off. Eight people successfully skydove from the plane.

The National Transportation Safety Board said that preliminary information indicated the Cameron Balloons A160 hot air balloon crashed into "desert terrain following an unspecified problem with its envelope."

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NTSB investigators did not find anything wrong with the mechanics of the balloon when they separated the balloon from the basket, the statement said.

Who died in the hot air balloon crash?

Eloy police identified the crash victims victims as:

• Chayton Wiescholek, 28, from Union City, Michigan.

• Kaitlynn Bartrom, 28, from Andrews, Indiana.

• Atahan Kiliccote, 24, from Cupertino, California.

• Cornelius Van Der Walt, 37, who was originally from South Africa and residing in Eloy. Van Der Walt was identified as the pilot.

What is Droplyne Hot Air Balloon Rides?

Droplyne Hot Air Balloon Rides was the operator of the flight, in which eight people successfully executed a sky diving jump before the crash.

Cornelius van der Walt was the founder and pilot of Droplyne Hot Air Balloon Rides, according to the company’s website.

Droplyne operated hot air balloon flights over the Eloy and Casa Grande areas during October-April and operated out of Moab, Utah, during the spring and fall months, according to the company website. It also offered skydiving flights. The website indicates it was founded in 2017 but developed out of a personal hobby that began in 2012.

Droplyne’s website indicates it had “a perfect safety record.”

Who is investigating the hot air crash?

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration were investigating the fatal crash.

The NTSB said investigators were examining the scene and hot air balloon. The balloon would eventually be moved to a secure facility for more investigation.

NTSB said that investigators would be examining the envelope for any anomalies and that an electronic device with possible relevant flight information and a video camera was sent to NTSB headquarters in Washington, D.C., for further analysis. NTSB said investigators have collected maintenance records for the balloon and information on the pilot's flight experience.

NTSB said it does not speculate about the cause of the crash while investigating the incident.

Who regulates hot air balloons?

The Federal Aviation Administration regulates the activity of hot air balloons in the United States.

What specific rules do hot air balloon pilots have to follow?

According to Outdoor Trooping to get a commercial pilot license for hot air ballooning you have to do the following:

• Be at least 18 years old.

• Have a private pilot license.

• Spend 35 hours as a pilot and 20 hours as a hot air balloon pilot.

• Take 10 flights in a balloon, and complete 2 flights in a balloon as the pilot.

• Make a controlled ascent to 3,000 feet above the takeoff point.

• Complete two solo flights.

• Take 10 hours of advanced training including 10 training flights.

• Pass an advanced written knowledge test and pass an advanced practical knowledge test.

NTSB requires pilots of hot air balloons carrying passengers to hold a medical certificate and pass a medical exam just like commercial airplane and helicopter pilots.

The FAA requires hot air balloons to have a compass if the balloon design is of the captive gas type.

Do hot air balloon flights have to be recorded?

The FAA agreed to let hot air balloon fliers operate without the use of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) equipment if they obtain a letter of agreement.

Hot air balloons can operate in class airspace C with a letter of agreement, which means there are no specific certifications required with pilots. Flights must be equipped with a two-way radio, an operable radar beacon transponder with automatic altitude reporting capability and an operable ADS-B Out equipment unless authorized otherwise.

Arizona Republic reporters Abigail Celaya, Kayla Jackson and Shelby Slade contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 4 dead, 1 injured in hot air balloon crash in Eloy: What we know