![Pilot's drug use contributed to deadly New Mexico hot-air balloon crash: NTSB](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2021/06/Deadly-Hot-Air-Balloon-Crash.jpg)
Pilot's drug use contributed to deadly New Mexico hot-air balloon crash: NTSB
Fox News
The pilot killed in a 2021 New Mexico hot-air balloon crash along with four others failed to maintain clearance from power lines, while his use of drugs also contributed to the mishap, federal transportation officials said.
Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com.
"Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of impairing, illicit drugs," the report stated.
Among the victims were former Albuquerque Police Officer Martin Martinez, 59, and his wife, 62-year-old Mary Martinez, as well as Susan and John Montoya. All died from blunt-force trauma.
![](/newspic/picid-6252001-20240608120124.jpg)
Critically endangered whale seen off California coast: 'Every sighting is incredibly valuable to us'
In a rare sighting recently, the endangered North Pacific right whale was spotted off the coast of California by a marine wildlife team near Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary.