Posted on 12/09/2016 11:09:23 AM PST by BenLurkin
Nichols suffered multiple medical problems including type II diabetes, depression and chronic pain from fibromyalgia. Some of those conditions should have prohibited him from operating an aircraft.
As part of his treatment, he was taking 13 prescription medicines, many of which are also prohibited for pilots at the controls. A toxicology test performed on his body found seven different drugs in his blood and urine that were prohibited by the FAA, including oxycodone and the sedative diazepam, also known as Valium. Such drugs can impair brain function and motor controls, according to the NTSB documents.
He had also been convicted of Driving While under the Influence five times and had been found guilty on three different drug charges. He was also jailed twice - once in 2000 and again in April 2010.
...
The new details were revealed as National Transportation Safety Board officials are holding an investigative hearing in Washington D.C. on Friday.
The hearing got underway at 8am, and is expected to last for about six hours.
Officials quizzed witnesses who saw the crash - which was the deadliest single aviation accident in the U.S. since 2009.
It comes after it was revealed earlier this year Nichols was able to exploit a loophole to continue flying the balloon - and that he would not have been allowed to pilot a plane given his rap sheet.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
At least he wasn't smoking pot.
Everything you report to the FAA is on the honor system as to regarding medications, flight times, etc. But should you get caught out .....
That must be some kind of record... they should check in with the Guinness Records folks.
Nichols was able to exploit a loophole to continue flying the balloon
It is NOT A LOOPHOLE, there is No Medical Certificate required for Gliders or Lighter-than-air.
What we really need is to require ALL Presstitutes to have a Valid 1st Class Medical at all times. That alone would weed out 90% of the drugged up and psychologically disturbed press
Even if the pilot of this hot air balloon had been “clean”, I would say no one under age 85 should take a ride in a hot air balloon. It’s a stupid risk to take for a cheap thrill. (No, I don’t think hot air balloon rides should be legally banned, just that people shouldn’t take them.)
Wonder how many folks were ready to unload on a “pothead”?
Feel bad for the sick guy but nobody with FIVE DUI arrests should be in charge of a vehicle
” But should you get caught out “
I landed at my local airport one night when there was no operating beacon or runway lights, no moon pitch black. lined up with my GPS and pushed the nose over hoping to see a runway. After landing another guy followed me in. No problem, my wife on the other hand.....
I called AOPA legal services to see if what I did was Legal, the short answer is YES, as long as NO Injury or Damage was done. If there was injury or damage from an incident, it would be considered Unsafe Operation of an Aircraft and they would have BURNED me.
“At least he wasn’t smoking pot.”
Or even worse,cigarettes.
.
How could he have a valid pilots license if he had 5 dui’s?
Oxy and Valium?
Yes, he was high.
The poor people on that flight...
Landing okay - if an incident or accident, yep, has to be reported.
How much did he contribute to the Clinton Foundation?
“A toxicology test performed on his body found seven different drugs in his blood and urine...”
Amy Winehouse and Lemmy Kilmister proably had about the same amounts in theirs.
The balloon pilot was high ?
Poor Amy had managed to get clean of every drug except the one which finally killed.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.