An investigation is underway following a tragic hot air balloon crash in Eloy, Arizona, which resulted in the deaths of four people and left another critically injured. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has stated that an "unspecified problem" with the balloon's envelope may have been a contributing factor to the crash. The envelope refers to the bag that fills with hot air to make the balloon rise. However, investigators have not discovered any mechanical anomalies thus far. The NTSB has sent an electronic device containing flight information and a video camera to their headquarters in Washington, D.C. for further analysis. Additionally, the maintenance records of the balloon and information on the pilot's flight experience have been collected.

The crash occurred on Sunday morning when the balloon was carrying a total of 13 people, including eight skydivers and four passengers, as well as the pilot. Fortunately, all of the skydivers were able to exit the balloon safely before the crash occurred. Witnesses reported that the balloon appeared deflated moments before it made a hard impact in an empty field. The crash site is a drop zone for skydivers and is located approximately 65 miles southeast of Phoenix.

The victims of the crash have been identified as pilot Cornelius van der Walt, 37, of Eloy, as well as passengers Kaitlynn Bartrom, 28, of Andrews, Indiana; Chayton Wiescholek, 28, of Union City, Michigan; and Atahan Kiliccote, 24, of Cupertino, California. A 23-year-old woman from the Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale remains hospitalized in critical condition. Van der Walt was the founder of Droplyne Hot Air Balloon Rides, a company that operates in Arizona and Utah. The company conducts daily flights up to 10,000 feet in elevation from the Eloy area during the November to April season and from Moab, Utah, during the spring and summer. Droplyne claims to have had a perfect safety record since its founding in 2017.

The NTSB is working alongside the Eloy Police Department and the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the crash. Witnesses have reported that the balloon was gaining and losing altitude rapidly before the crash. The NTSB will continue to interview witnesses and examine the envelope for any anomalies. The investigation aims to determine the cause of the crash and prevent similar incidents in the future.

In a heartbreaking twist, it has been revealed that one of the passengers, Chayton Wiescholek, sent a text message to his girlfriend saying, "I love you, goodbye" just before the crash. Wiescholek's girlfriend, Kinsey Taylor, was among the skydivers who had safely jumped from the balloon prior to the incident. She only saw the message after landing and realizing something had gone wrong. Wiescholek's parents shared that their son knew he was going to die and his last thoughts were with his girlfriend. Taylor immediately tried to call Wiescholek but someone else answered his phone and informed her that the situation was dire. Officials prevented her from approaching him at the crash site.

The tragedy has deeply affected the families and loved ones of the victims. Rhonda Wiescholek, Chayton's mother, flew to Arizona upon hearing the news and has expressed her determination to bring her son home. She described her son as being happy with Taylor and said that knowing he was happy brings her some peace amidst the grief. A GoFundMe page has been set up by the family to remember Chayton as an adventurous and vibrant individual.

The NTSB's preliminary report states that the crash was the result of an unspecified problem with the balloon's envelope. Initial examinations have not revealed any mechanical issues, and the basket appears to be intact. The investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash.