Investigation Summary
The investigation revealed that the pilot, Alfred 'Skip' Nichols, had a significant history of medical issues and substance abuse that were not disclosed to or regulated by the FAA due to a loophole in ballooning regulations. Toxicology reports found a cocktail of impairing medications in the pilot's system, including oxycodone (a narcotic painkiller), diazepam (Valium), and diphenhydramine (Benadryl). The NTSB noted that the level of diphenhydramine alone was high enough to cause impairment equivalent to a 0.1% blood alcohol concentration. Furthermore, the pilot had at least four prior convictions for driving while intoxicated (DWI), which would have likely disqualified him from holding a medical certificate had one been required. Beyond the pilot's personal history, the NTSB identified a lack of targeted FAA oversight as a safety issue; the agency conducted 98% of its balloon inspections at festivals, meaning operators like Nichols, who did not attend such events, received virtually no regulatory scrutiny.
Final Conclusions
The NTSB determined the probable cause was the pilot's pattern of poor decision-making, which led to the launch in unfavorable weather, the continuation of the flight above clouds, and a descent in reduced visibility that prevented him from seeing and avoiding the power lines. Contributing factors included the pilot's impairing medical conditions and medications, as well as the FAA's policy at the time which exempted commercial balloon pilots from medical certification requirements.
Video Analysis
FAA proposes hot air balloon regulation 5 years after 2016 crash — Local news coverage of the legislative aftermath and the FAA's eventual adoption of medical certificate requirements for commercial balloon pilots following the Lockhart tragedy.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Systems & Failure Modes
Propane Fuel System
The balloon utilized four fuel cylinders to power the burners; during the impact, fuel hoses detached, leading to a post-crash fire accelerated by liquid propane.
Gondola Support Cables
Stainless steel cables connecting the basket to the burner frame; 14 of 28 cables showed evidence of electrical arcing and strand fusing from the power line strike.
Interesting Facts
- 01The accident is the deadliest hot air balloon crash in United States history.
- 02Toxicology detected bupropion, cyclobenzaprine, diazepam, methylphenidate, oxycodone, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine in the pilot's blood.
- 03The pilot had at least four prior drunk driving (DWI) convictions and two incarcerations.
- 04The balloon's envelope was found approximately 0.5 miles downwind from the burned-out gondola, though some public records incorrectly cite this distance as 0.75 miles.
- 05At the time of the accident, the FAA did not require commercial balloon pilots to hold a medical certificate.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Commercial Balloon Pilot Medical Requirements
Following NTSB recommendations and the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, the FAA formally adopted rules in 2022 requiring commercial hot air balloon pilots to hold a second-class medical certificate.