Pilot, 15 Passengers Fatally Injured When Balloon Struck Power Lines

The pilot of a balloon that struck powerlines and caught fire on July 30 knew that the weather conditions were dangerous before starting the flight, according to the NTSB.

Fifteen passengers and the pilot were fatally injured in the accident.

The board met Friday in Washington, D.C. to review the specific circumstances of the accident. The latter part of the investigation will focus on balloon operations, regulations and oversight and aeromedical factors, according to the board. "This process will assist the NTSB in determining the probable cause of the accident and in issuing recommendations to prevent similar accidents in the future," said Robert Sumwalt, a board member with NTSB.

Television station KVUE reports that during the meeting, officials said that the pilot, 49-year-old Alfred "Skip" Nichols IV, received a weather briefing indicating a ceiling of 1,200 feet AGL and no spread between temperature and dew point. The briefer said clouds could be a problem. Nichols reportedly said "We find a hole and we go."

The ceiling dropped to 700 feet during the flight, according to the board.

Bill English, the Hearing Officer, said during the hearing that the investigation also found that the pilot "had a record of multiple medical and psychiatric conditions as well as multiple prescription medication which were detected in toxicology.” The board added that there is no medical certificate requirement for balloon pilots.

An autopsy performed by the Caldwell County coroner found evidence of Ritalin, Valium, cough syrup and antihistamines in his blood at the time of the accident.

The Wall Street Journal reports that investigators found that other balloon companies had cancelled their flights on the day of the accident. They said that Nichols attempted to drop through a break in the clouds and did not see the power lines below his aircraft.

Nichols reportedly obtained his commercial balloon certificate in 1993 and was the sole owner and operator of the aircraft.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov