Current:Home > NewsPilot error caused the fatal hot air balloon crash in New Mexico, NTSB finds. Drug use was a factor-LoTradeCoin
Pilot error caused the fatal hot air balloon crash in New Mexico, NTSB finds. Drug use was a factor
View Date:2024-12-24 08:10:32
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A mistake made by a hot air balloon pilot who had drugs including cocaine in his system caused a crash in 2021 in New Mexico that killed all five people on board, investigators have determined.
The National Transportation Safety Board said in its final report released this week that pilot Nicholas Meleski did not maintain enough clearance from power lines while trying to land. He hit the power lines and crashed into a busy intersection. The report said investigators found no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures.
The amounts of cocaine and marijuana found in his system suggested “recent use” that would have likely had “impairing effects” that contributed to the crash on June 26, 2021, the report said.
Meleski’s family told Albuquerque station KOB-TV in a statement that their hearts go out to the families of the passengers: Mary Martinez, her husband Martin, and their friends Susan and John Montoya.
“We cannot express the depth of our grief and sadness for the pain this accident has caused,” the statement said.
Witnesses also told investigators that the balloon’s envelope separated from the basket after hitting the power lines and floated away. It was found south of the crash site.
Martin Martinez worked as a police officer, first for the city of Albuquerque and later for its public school system. Mary Martinez, a mother of two, is remembered for her love of helping people. Susan Montoya was an assistant school principal and her husband worked with special education students.
Federal officials said the balloon crash was the deadliest in New Mexico’s history and the second deadliest in the U.S. since 2016. Albuquerque is home to an annual international balloon fiesta that draws hundreds of pilots and tens of thousands of spectators every October.
veryGood! (362)
Related
- Olympic Skier Lindsey Vonn Coming Out of Retirement at 40
- The Real Reason Vanderpump Rules' Ariana Madix Won't Let Tom Sandoval Buy Their House
- Why the NBA trade deadline is so crucial for these six teams
- Man with samurai sword making threats arrested in Walmart, police say
- Judge set to rule on whether to scrap Trump’s conviction in hush money case
- Justice Department proposes major changes to address disparities in state crime victim funds
- South Dakota food tax debate briefly resurfaces, then sinks
- Travis Kelce Reveals What He Told Taylor Swift After Grammys Win—and It’s Sweeter Than Fiction
- Kendall Jenner Is Back to Being a Brunette After Ditching Blonde Hair
- Man with samurai sword making threats arrested in Walmart, police say
Ranking
- Tennessee suspect in dozens of rapes is convicted of producing images of child sex abuse
- Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. agrees to massive $288.8M contract extension with Royals
- Toby Keith, country music star, dies at 62. He was suffering from cancer.
- Jesse Palmer Breaks Down Insane Night Rushing Home for Baby Girl's Birth
- Tony Hinchcliffe refuses to apologize after calling Puerto Rico 'garbage' at Trump rally
- Heidi Klum's Daughter Leni Embraces Her Acne With Makeup-Free Selfie
- Celine Dion is battling stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. What is it?
- NLRB official rules Dartmouth men's basketball team are employees, orders union vote
Recommendation
-
Queen Bey and Yale: The Ivy League university is set to offer a course on Beyoncé and her legacy
-
Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce at Super Bowl Opening Night: Taylor Swift is 'unbelievable'
-
Can Nicole Kidman's 'Expats' live up to its pedigree?
-
Ship targeted in suspected Yemen Houthi rebel drone attack in southern Red Sea as tensions high
-
Digital Finance Research Institute Introduce
-
A total solar eclipse will darken U.S. skies in April 2024. Here's what to know about the rare event.
-
Radio crew's 'bathwater' stunt leads to Jacob Elordi being accused of assault in Australia
-
Patrick Mahomes at Super Bowl Opening Night: I'd play basketball just like Steph Curry