"High on Cocaine: Hot Air Balloon Pilot's Deadly Crash in New Mexico"

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that a hot air balloon crash in New Mexico that killed five people in June 2021 was partially caused by the pilot's use of cocaine and cannabis. The pilot, Nicholas Meleski, was under the influence of these drugs at the time of the crash, which occurred when the balloon struck power lines and crashed into a busy intersection. The crash resulted in the deaths of Meleski and two couples who were passengers in the balloon. Federal investigators found that Meleski's intoxication likely had impairing effects that contributed to the incident. The crash is considered the deadliest in New Mexico's history and the second deadliest in the United States since 2016.