A hot air balloon crash that killed five people in New Mexico two years ago was caused in part by the pilot’s use of cocaine and cannabis, federal investigators have found.
The verdict, broadcast by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Friday, comes nearly 26 months after the deaths of longtime balloonist Nicholas Meleski, 62, and two couples he was tasked with transporting.
All died from blunt force trauma, federal transportation officials found – after the balloon struck power lines and crashed into a busy Albuquerque intersection in June 2021.
In the deadly maneuver — which took place as Meleski attempted to land — the balloon’s basket detached in midair and plummeted about 100 feet.
A toxicology report had previously indicated that Meleski was under the influence of the illegal drugs, although officials have now determined that the pilot’s intoxication played a role in the incident.
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The verdict, broadcast by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Friday, comes nearly 26 months after the deaths of longtime balloonist Nicholas Meleski, 62, and two couples he was tasked with transporting. It found that cocaine and marijuana in his system indicated “recent use” that likely would have had “impairing effects” leading to the June 2021 crash
The crash occurred on June 26, 2021 at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta as Meleski attempted to land the plane. Instead, Meleski – a veteran pilot who competed in the event for decades – crashed into a series of power lines before falling
The amounts of cocaine and marijuana found in his system indicated “recent use,” federal authorities noted in their final report on the incident — likely to have had “impairing effects” contributing to the crash.
The victims included former Albuquerque police officer Martin Martinez, 59, and his wife, 62-year-old Mary Martinez, and elementary school principal Susan Montoya, 65, and her husband John, who was 61.
All attended the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on June 26, 2021 and felt like they were taking part in one of the event’s signature balloon rides, for which they paid hundreds of dollars.
Teachers and colleagues had helped foot the bill for Montoya, who for years had been the assistant principal at Georgia O’Keeffe Elementary School and had a balloon ride on her wish list at the time.
After funds were raised, she was offered the ticket as a parting gift as she prepared to transfer to another school.
Montoya then invited her husband and a couple of friends to the Martinezes for the ride.
Martin, a retired Albuquerque police officer and sergeant with the Albuquerque Public Schools Police Department, along with his wife Mary, happily complied and found himself in the basket for an early morning launch later in the day.
The flight excursion, scheduled just after dawn, went smoothly at first — led by Meleski, a pilot who had directed such flights for decades.
Among the victims were school principal Susan Montoya, 65, and her husband John, 61, and former Albuquerque Police Officer Martin Martinez, 59, and his wife, 62-year-old Mary Martinez. Teachers and colleagues had helped pay the bill for Montoya, who then invited her husband and two friends over. All died as a result of blunt force trauma in the fall from a height of 30 meters
The basket of a hot air balloon lies on the sidewalk after crash landing in Albuquerque, NM, Saturday June 26, 2021
The force of the impact killed everyone on board, the basket with the group of five separated while the balloon itself drifted away. Federal transportation officials eventually found out that all died from blunt force trauma
Federal investigators’ investigation of the incident would drag on for years — months later, a toxicology report from a Meleski urine sample revealed he had both marijuana and cocaine in his system at the time of his death.
Back then – after the crash, which was supposed to occur within an hour – other balloonists, awestruck by what had happened, noted that Meleski had flown thousands of hours in New Mexico and other places around the world.
Following well-established FAA protocols — which do not mandate drug testing but screen balloon pilots months in advance — the plane operator took off as planned with its four passengers in tow.
At first the ride went as planned: Meleski’s balloon gently hovered several hundred meters above the festivities before descending again to attempt a landing.
Then, to the horror of hundreds of spectators below, everything went wrong.
As the balloon descended into the sky over Albuquerque, it made contact with power lines near Central and Unser NW, detaching the nacelle and causing it to crash down a heavily traveled route.
Federal investigators who authored the report released over the weekend — the latest to be released in relation to the case — linked that presence to a pilot error during his descent and said he failed to keep clear of power lines when attempting to land
Back then – after the crash, which was supposed to occur within an hour – other balloonists, awestruck by what had happened, noted that Meleski had flown thousands of hours in New Mexico and other places around the world
The basket can be seen on the ground in a busy street with the victims lying nearby as rescue workers intervene at the scene of the accident. The families of the four passengers have not yet commented on the latest revelation – the government’s latest revelation in relation to the 26-month-old case
The plane landed at around 7 a.m. on a street corner in Albuquerque’s West Side neighborhood, about six miles from Albuquerque International Sunport Airport
Seen here are the power lines that Meleski struck during the field trip, causing the balloon’s nacelle to detach and plummet about 100 feet
The force of the impact killed everyone on board, the basket with the group of five separated while the balloon itself drifted away.
Federal investigators’ investigation of the incident would drag on for years — months later, a toxicology report from a Meleski urine sample revealed he had both marijuana and cocaine in his system at the time of his death.
Federal investigators who wrote the report released over the weekend — the last to be released in relation to the case — linked that presence to a pilot error during his descent and said he failed to keep sufficient distance from power lines when attempting to land.
The statement likely did little to satisfy the families of the unsuspecting passengers who died, at least in part, as a result of Meleski’s actions, but prompted a somewhat apologetic response from the culprit’s family.
Meleski’s family released the statement following the NTSB’s announcement, “We thank the National Transportation Safety Board for the effort and time expended in investigating the tragic accident.”
“We cannot express the depth of our sorrow and sadness at the pain this accident caused – our condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the passengers,” it said.
A friend of the victims is comforted at the scene of the fatal hot air balloon crash
The Albuquerque Police Department, the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board had investigated the incident
At the scene of the fatal crash, emergency responders can be seen hiding victims lying next to the hot air balloon’s basket. Officials said the balloon crash was the deadliest in New Mexico history and the second-deadliest in the United States since 2016
“We also want to say thank you to the entire hot air balloon community in New Mexico and around the world.”
“The outpouring of love and support has been overwhelming and we continue to mourn with you.” Nick loved this community so much and our family will continue to support the sport in any way they can.”
Meanwhile, Martin Martinez is still celebrated for his work as a police officer, first for the city of Albuquerque and later for its public school system.
His wife Mary, mother of two, is known for her love of helping people. Montoya and her husband were also recognized for their work with local special needs students.
Federal officials said the balloon crash was the deadliest in New Mexico history and the second-deadliest in the United States since 2016. The festival where it happened attracted hundreds of pilots and tens of thousands of spectators every year.