As investigations continue into the deadly hot air balloon crash in Texas, oversight of balloon pilots has been called into question.
Pilot Alfred ‘Skip’ Nichols,’ who also died in the crash along with 15 passengers, had four drunk driving convictions and had been sentenced to prison for drugs offenses.
Unlike airline and helicopter pilots, Nichols did not have to disclose those convictions to the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board said.
Balloon pilots are only required to self-report any drug or alcohol driving offenses within 60 days under FAA rules.
It emerged he had his driver’s license suspended twice.
The NTSB said there is no sign that excess alcohol played a role in the crash at this stage although toxicology tests have been carried out on Nichols’ body.
Nicholls, owner of Heart of Texas Hot Air Balloon Rides, was piloting the early morning pleasure flight when it is thought to have struck power lines near Lockhart, Texas on Saturday, killing all onboard.
He previously owned Air Balloon Sports in St Louis where he was involved in a landing which resulted in a lawsuit from an injured passenger, which was eventually settled out of court.
Heart of Texas Hot Air Balloon Rides was involved in a ‘hard landing’ in 2014 which injured two passengers but was not flown by Nichols, NTSB member Robert Sumwalt said.
