Hot-Air Balloon Lands in Temecula Couple's Backyard

The unexpected visitors were friendly and no one was injured in the incident.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:41am

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An abstract, impressionistic scene of a hot-air balloon basket descending into a blurred, colorful backyard, conveying the unexpected and dreamlike nature of the incident.An unexpected hot-air balloon landing in a Temecula couple's backyard highlights the unpredictability and potential risks of this recreational activity.Los Angeles Today

A hot-air balloon carrying about a dozen people made an emergency landing in a Temecula couple's backyard on Saturday morning. The homeowners, Hunter and Jenna Perrin, were surprised but unharmed by the unexpected visitors, who the pilot said had to land due to dying winds and a lack of fuel.

Why it matters

While hot-air balloon rides are a popular tourist activity in the Temecula area, it's highly unusual for one to make an unplanned landing in a residential backyard. This incident highlights the potential risks and unpredictability of hot-air balloon travel, as well as the need for proper safety protocols and emergency planning.

The details

The Perrins were at home when they received a notification from their security camera about movement in their backyard. They went outside to find a hot-air balloon basket with about a dozen people inside had landed on their lawn. The pilot told them an emergency landing was necessary because the winds had died down, causing the balloon to run out of fuel. The passengers had to exit the basket while additional fuel tanks were brought in, a process that took around two hours before the balloon could take off again.

  • The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2026.
  • It took the pilot and passengers about 2 hours to refuel the balloon and take off again.

The players

Hunter Perrin

A Temecula resident whose backyard the hot-air balloon landed in.

Jenna Perrin

Hunter Perrin's wife, also a Temecula resident whose backyard the hot-air balloon landed in.

The Pilot

The pilot of the hot-air balloon that made the emergency landing in the Perrins' backyard.

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What they’re saying

“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, Temecula Resident

“They were very friendly. It was like so hard to comprehend what was happening.”

— Hunter Perrin, Temecula Resident

“I was amazed that they missed our tree. They missed our house. They're practically kissing the fence.”

— Jenna Perrin, Temecula Resident

What’s next

The Perrins say they won't be going on a hot-air balloon ride anytime soon, but they joked that if another balloon landed in their backyard, they wouldn't have to drive home.

The takeaway

This unexpected hot-air balloon landing in a residential backyard serves as a reminder of the potential risks and unpredictability of this type of recreational activity. While no one was injured, it highlights the need for hot-air balloon operators to have robust safety protocols and emergency plans in place to ensure the well-being of passengers and bystanders alike.