Cornelius Petrus Jakobus van der Walt : “Fatal Hot Air Balloon Crash: Pilot Had Ketamine”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Hot air balloon pilot drug test results
2. Fatal hot air balloon accident investigation

An autopsy report revealed that the pilot involved in a hot air balloon crash in Eloy, Arizona, had elevated levels of ketamine in his system at the time of the incident, which resulted in the deaths of four people. Cornelius Petrus Jakobus van der Walt, who did not have a prescription for the drug, was piloting the balloon with thirteen people on board, intending to go skydiving. Eight passengers jumped out before an unknown issue caused the balloon to plummet to the ground, killing van der Walt and three others. The NTSB preliminary report suggested the balloon’s envelope deflated before the crash, with a full investigation expected to take a year.

Tragic Hot Air Balloon Crash in Eloy, Arizona Reveals Pilot Had Drugs in System

In a devastating turn of events, a hot air balloon crash in Eloy, Arizona has left four people dead. The pilot, Cornelius Petrus Jakobus van der Walt, was found to have elevated levels of ketamine in his system at the time of the crash, according to a recent report.

The tragic incident occurred on the morning of January 14, when thirteen people took to the skies in the hot air balloon with the intention of skydiving. While eight individuals successfully jumped from the balloon, van der Walt and three passengers remained in the basket.

Unfortunately, an unforeseen issue arose, causing the balloon to plummet to the ground. Van der Walt, along with passengers Chayton Wiescholek, Kaitlynn Bartrom, and Atahan Kiliccote, all lost their lives in the crash.

Details of the Investigation

Following the tragic incident, a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that the balloon’s envelope deflated before descending. Investigators noted burn damage on the balloon and frayed sewn rim tape near the top of the envelope.

The autopsy report released on Wednesday confirmed that van der Walt had ketamine in his system at the time of the crash. While ketamine is used to treat certain mental health conditions in Arizona, van der Walt did not have a prescription for the drug.

It is important to note that rescue crews at the scene did not administer ketamine to van der Walt in their attempts to revive him after the crash.

Next Steps in the Investigation

A full report on the hot air balloon crash in Eloy, Arizona is expected to take at least a year to complete. Investigators will continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident to determine the cause of the tragedy.

The community of Eloy and the families of the victims are left to mourn the loss of their loved ones as they await further updates on the investigation.

As the details of this heartbreaking event continue to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in all forms of aviation to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring in the future.