The pilot of a hot air balloon that crashed in the Arizona desert and killed four people earlier this year had elevated levels of ketamine in his system, according to reports. Cornelius van der Walt, 37, had enough ketamine in his blood to be considered impaired for driving, according to a medical examiner’s report obtained by USA Today. The report said he did not have a prescription for the drug, and that rescue crews that tried to revive him did not utilize the drug.
Van der Walt, a resident of Eloy who was originally from South Africa, was piloting the balloon when it carried 13 adults on Jan. 14. Eight skydivers jumped before any issues with the balloon arose, while Van der Walt and four others remained on board. The balloon crashed into an empty field in a desert area 65 miles southeast of Phoenix after an “unspecified problem,” according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released on Jan. 25. Investigators found thermal damage near the mouth of the envelope and that sewn rim tape material near the top of the envelope was frayed along with several damaged panels.
Van der Walt was killed along with three passengers, who were identified as Chayton Wiescholek, 28, of Union City, Michigan; Kaitlynn Bartrom, 28, of Andrews, Indiana; and Atahan Kiliccote, 24, of Cupertino, California. The fourth passenger who survived with critical injuries was identified by police as Valerie Stutterheima, 23, from Scottsdale, Arizona. The NTSB investigation could take over a year to complete its final report on the crash.
The NTSB report also revealed that a review of multiple mobile phone videos showed that the balloon was descending with a deflated envelope trailing from above. At times, the burner flame under the envelope was seen, indicating possible issues with the balloon’s inflation. This information, along with the thermal damage and other physical evidence found at the crash site, will be crucial in determining the cause of the crash.
The presence of ketamine in Van der Walt’s system raises questions about his fitness to operate the hot air balloon. The fact that he did not have a prescription for the drug indicates that he likely obtained it illegally, further raising concerns about his judgment and decision-making abilities. The NTSB will likely investigate his use of ketamine and its potential impact on his pilot performance as part of their comprehensive investigation into the crash.
The aftermath of the hot air balloon crash has left the families of the victims devastated and seeking answers. The loss of four lives in this tragic incident has highlighted the dangers associated with aviation activities, even those that are considered leisurely, such as hot air ballooning. The survivors of the crash, especially Valerie Stutterheima who sustained critical injuries, will have a long road to recovery, both physically and emotionally.
As the NTSB continues its investigation and works towards completing its final report on the crash, it is important to learn from this incident to prevent similar tragedies in the future. By addressing issues such as pilot impairment, maintenance of aircraft, and adherence to safety protocols, steps can be taken to enhance the safety of aviation activities and ensure that passengers and crew are protected from harm. The lessons learned from this crash will hopefully lead to improvements in safety measures and regulations within the aviation industry.
