Butler, Pa., balloonist who died Friday was a ‘very well-loved pilot’

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Pilots of hot-air balloons on Saturday mourned the loss of one of their own in a fiery crash at Albuquerque’s famous festival, even as they said another pilot fighting for his life after the accident would want them to keep flying.

Saturday’s weather failed to cooperate. Windy, stormy weather grounded balloons readying for a morning mass ascension, and evening fireworks also were canceled, lending a somber mood to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which ended Sunday.

Keith Sproul of North Brunswick, N.J., was critically injured Friday when the gondola of his Wings of Wind balloon crashed into power lines and exploded into flames over the town of Bernalillo. His co-pilot, Stephen Lachendro of Butler, Pa., was killed.

Balloon fiesta spokeswoman Kathie Leyendecker said Lachendro was a “very well-loved pilot.”