Tragic Hot Air Balloon Crash
In a heartbreaking incident that rocked the Arizona desert, a hot air balloon crash claimed the lives of four individuals, including the pilot. The pilot, Cornelius van der Walt, was found to have elevated levels of ketamine in his system, raising questions about impairment.
Pilot’s Impairment: Ketamine Detected
According to a medical examiner’s report obtained by LA News Center, van der Walt’s blood contained enough ketamine to render him impaired for driving. He did not have a prescription for the drug, and rescue crews did not administer it during their attempts to revive him.
The Balloon’s Flight and Descent
Van der Walt, an experienced pilot, was at the helm of the balloon on January 14, carrying 13 adults. Eight skydivers exited the balloon before any issues arose, leaving van der Walt and four passengers on board.
The balloon crashed into an empty field approximately 65 miles southeast of Phoenix after experiencing an “unspecified problem,” an initial report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed.
Investigation into the Crash
The NTSB, tasked with determining the cause of the crash, has been evaluating video footage and examining the balloon’s structure. The report noted that the balloon descended with a deflated envelope trailing above, and the burner flame was visible intermittently.
Physical analysis revealed thermal damage near the envelope’s mouth and frayed sewn rim tape near its top, accompanied by damaged panels.
Victims and Survivors
Along with van der Walt, the other fatal victims were identified as:
- Chayton Wiescholek, 28, of Union City, Michigan
- Kaitlynn Bartrom, 28, of Andrews, Indiana
- Atahan Kiliccote, 24, of Cupertino, California
The sole survivor, who sustained critical injuries, was identified as 23-year-old Valerie Stutterheima from Scottsdale, Arizona.
Ongoing Investigations
The NTSB investigation into the crash remains ongoing, with a final report expected to take over a year to be completed. The findings of this investigation will shed light on the factors that contributed to this tragic incident and potentially prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Data sourced from: foxnews.com
