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Texas hot air balloon crash

  • <p>Hot Air Balloon Crash Texas</p><p>Kathy Stephens, of Kyle, Texas, pauses at a memorial, Monday Aug. 1, 2016, at the site of a hot air balloon crash that killed 16 people on Saturday near Lockhart, Texas. (Edward A. Ornelas/San Antonio Express-News via AP)</p>
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    Hot Air Balloon Crash Texas

    Kathy Stephens, of Kyle, Texas, pauses at a memorial, Monday Aug. 1, 2016, at the site of a hot air balloon crash that killed 16 people on Saturday near Lockhart, Texas. (Edward A. Ornelas/San Antonio Express-News via AP)

  • <p>This undated photo provided by Heart of Texas Hot Air Balloon Rides shows Alfred “Skip” Nichols. (Heart of Texas Hot Air Balloon Rides via AP)</p>
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    Hot Air Balloon Crash Texas

    This undated photo provided by Heart of Texas Hot Air Balloon Rides shows Alfred “Skip” Nichols. (Heart of Texas Hot Air Balloon Rides via AP)

  • <p>An impromptu memorial stands outside the home of Tresa and Joe Owens in Brookshire, Texas, on Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/John Mone)</p>
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    Hot Air Balloon Crash Texas Victims

    An impromptu memorial stands outside the home of Tresa and Joe Owens in Brookshire, Texas, on Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/John Mone)

  • <p>This undated photo provided by Josh Rowan shows Matt Rowan and his wife Sunday Rowan. (Josh Rowan via AP)</p>
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    Hot Air Balloon Crash Texas

    This undated photo provided by Josh Rowan shows Matt Rowan and his wife Sunday Rowan. (Josh Rowan via AP)

  • <p>A crew hoists a bag holding the remains of a hot air balloon that crashed Saturday onto a waiting truck at the scene near Lockhart, Texas, Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. (Deborah Cannon/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
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    Hot Air Balloon Crash Texas

    A crew hoists a bag holding the remains of a hot air balloon that crashed Saturday onto a waiting truck at the scene near Lockhart, Texas, Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. (Deborah Cannon/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

  • <p>National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Robert Sumwalt speaks during a news conference at the scene of Saturday’s hot air balloon crash near Lockhart. Texas, Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. (Deborah Cannon/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
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    Robert Sumwalt

    National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Robert Sumwalt speaks during a news conference at the scene of Saturday’s hot air balloon crash near Lockhart. Texas, Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. (Deborah Cannon/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

  • <p>A DPS trooper talks with men at a checkpoint near the scene of Saturday’s hot air balloon crash near Lockhart, Texas, Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. (Deborah Cannon/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
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    Hot Air Balloon Crash Texas

    A DPS trooper talks with men at a checkpoint near the scene of Saturday’s hot air balloon crash near Lockhart, Texas, Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. (Deborah Cannon/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

  • <p>In this aerial photo authorities investigate after a hot air balloon caught on fire and crashed in in Central Texas near Lockhart, Texas, Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a “significant loss of life.” (Rodolfo Gonzalez/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    In this aerial photo authorities investigate after a hot air balloon caught on fire and crashed in in Central Texas near Lockhart, Texas, Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a “significant loss of life.” (Rodolfo Gonzalez/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

  • <p>Flowers sit next to police tape at the site of Saturday’s hot air balloon crash near Lockhart, Texas, Sunday, July 31, 2016. (Jessalyn Tamez/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    Flowers sit next to police tape at the site of Saturday’s hot air balloon crash near Lockhart, Texas, Sunday, July 31, 2016. (Jessalyn Tamez/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

  • <p>Nixon resident, Lisa Peralez reads a prayer at the site of Saturday’s hot air balloon crash near Lockhart, Texas, Sunday, July 31, 2016. (Jessalyn Tamez/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    Nixon resident, Lisa Peralez reads a prayer at the site of Saturday’s hot air balloon crash near Lockhart, Texas, Sunday, July 31, 2016. (Jessalyn Tamez/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

  • <p>Authorities investigate the site of a hot air balloon accident in Maxwell, Texas on July 30, 2016. (AARON M. SPRECHER/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    Authorities investigate the site of a hot air balloon accident in Maxwell, Texas on July 30, 2016. (AARON M. SPRECHER/AFP/Getty Images)

  • <p>Authorities investigate the site of a hot air balloon accident in Maxwell, Texas on July 30, 2016. (AARON M. SPRECHER/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    Authorities investigate the site of a hot air balloon accident in Maxwell, Texas on July 30, 2016. (AARON M. SPRECHER/AFP/Getty Images)

  • <p>Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines, July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines, July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

  • <p>Police cars block access to the site where a hot air balloon crashed, July 30, 2016, near Lockhart, Texas. (AP Photo/James Vertuno)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    Police cars block access to the site where a hot air balloon crashed, July 30, 2016, near Lockhart, Texas. (AP Photo/James Vertuno)

  • <p>Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines, July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines, July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

  • <p>The partial frame of a hot air balloon is visible above a crop field as investigators comb the wreckage of a crash on July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    The partial frame of a hot air balloon is visible above a crop field as investigators comb the wreckage of a crash on July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

  • <p>Local resident Margaret Wylie describes a burst of flames she saw in the field across the road from her house at the scene of a hot air balloon crash near Lockhart, Texas, July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    Local resident Margaret Wylie describes a burst of flames she saw in the field across the road from her house at the scene of a hot air balloon crash near Lockhart, Texas, July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

  • <p>National Transportation Safety Board Senior Advisor Erik Grosof, left, Caldwell County Sheriff Daniel Law and Texas DPS Trooper Robbie Barrera, right, leave the scene of a hot air balloon crash, July 30, 2016, near Lockhart, Texas. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    National Transportation Safety Board Senior Advisor Erik Grosof, left, Caldwell County Sheriff Daniel Law and Texas DPS Trooper Robbie Barrera, right, leave the scene of a hot air balloon crash, July 30, 2016, near Lockhart, Texas. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

  • <p>Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines, July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines, July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

  • <p>Authorities investigate the site of a hot air balloon accident in Maxwell, Texas on July 30, 2016. (AARON M. SPRECHER/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    Authorities investigate the site of a hot air balloon accident in Maxwell, Texas on July 30, 2016. (AARON M. SPRECHER/AFP/Getty Images)

  • <p>Location of Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon crashed early Saturday, July 30, 2016. (AP)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    Location of Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon crashed early Saturday, July 30, 2016. (AP)

  • <p>Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines, July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines, July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

  • <p>Police cars block access to the site where a hot air balloon crashed, July 30, 2016, near Lockhart, Texas. (AP Photo/James Vertuno)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    Police cars block access to the site where a hot air balloon crashed, July 30, 2016, near Lockhart, Texas. (AP Photo/James Vertuno)

  • <p>Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

  • <p>Authorities arrive on the scene of a hot air balloon crash, July 30, 2016 near Lockhart, Texas. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
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    Texas hot air balloon crash

    Authorities arrive on the scene of a hot air balloon crash, July 30, 2016 near Lockhart, Texas. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

<p>Hot Air Balloon Crash Texas</p><p>Kathy Stephens, of Kyle, Texas, pauses at a memorial, Monday Aug. 1, 2016, at the site of a hot air balloon crash that killed 16 people on Saturday near Lockhart, Texas. (Edward A. Ornelas/San Antonio Express-News via AP)</p>
<p>This undated photo provided by Heart of Texas Hot Air Balloon Rides shows Alfred “Skip” Nichols. (Heart of Texas Hot Air Balloon Rides via AP)</p>
<p>An impromptu memorial stands outside the home of Tresa and Joe Owens in Brookshire, Texas, on Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/John Mone)</p>
<p>This undated photo provided by Josh Rowan shows Matt Rowan and his wife Sunday Rowan. (Josh Rowan via AP)</p>
<p>A crew hoists a bag holding the remains of a hot air balloon that crashed Saturday onto a waiting truck at the scene near Lockhart, Texas, Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. (Deborah Cannon/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
<p>National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Robert Sumwalt speaks during a news conference at the scene of Saturday’s hot air balloon crash near Lockhart. Texas, Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. (Deborah Cannon/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
<p>A DPS trooper talks with men at a checkpoint near the scene of Saturday’s hot air balloon crash near Lockhart, Texas, Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. (Deborah Cannon/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
<p>In this aerial photo authorities investigate after a hot air balloon caught on fire and crashed in in Central Texas near Lockhart, Texas, Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a “significant loss of life.” (Rodolfo Gonzalez/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
<p>Flowers sit next to police tape at the site of Saturday’s hot air balloon crash near Lockhart, Texas, Sunday, July 31, 2016. (Jessalyn Tamez/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
<p>Nixon resident, Lisa Peralez reads a prayer at the site of Saturday’s hot air balloon crash near Lockhart, Texas, Sunday, July 31, 2016. (Jessalyn Tamez/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
<p>Authorities investigate the site of a hot air balloon accident in Maxwell, Texas on July 30, 2016. (AARON M. SPRECHER/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Authorities investigate the site of a hot air balloon accident in Maxwell, Texas on July 30, 2016. (AARON M. SPRECHER/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines, July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
<p>Police cars block access to the site where a hot air balloon crashed, July 30, 2016, near Lockhart, Texas. (AP Photo/James Vertuno)</p>
<p>Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines, July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
<p>The partial frame of a hot air balloon is visible above a crop field as investigators comb the wreckage of a crash on July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
<p>Local resident Margaret Wylie describes a burst of flames she saw in the field across the road from her house at the scene of a hot air balloon crash near Lockhart, Texas, July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
<p>National Transportation Safety Board Senior Advisor Erik Grosof, left, Caldwell County Sheriff Daniel Law and Texas DPS Trooper Robbie Barrera, right, leave the scene of a hot air balloon crash, July 30, 2016, near Lockhart, Texas. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
<p>Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines, July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
<p>Authorities investigate the site of a hot air balloon accident in Maxwell, Texas on July 30, 2016. (AARON M. SPRECHER/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Location of Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon crashed early Saturday, July 30, 2016. (AP)</p>
<p>Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines, July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
<p>Police cars block access to the site where a hot air balloon crashed, July 30, 2016, near Lockhart, Texas. (AP Photo/James Vertuno)</p>
<p>Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines July 30, 2016. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
<p>Authorities arrive on the scene of a hot air balloon crash, July 30, 2016 near Lockhart, Texas. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)</p>
Yahoo News Photo

The pilot of a hot air balloon that crashed in Texas, killing 16 people, was able to keep flying despite having at least four convictions for drunken driving in Missouri and twice spending time in prison. Whether the pilot’s drinking habits had anything to do with the crash was unclear. A former girlfriend described Alfred “Skip” Nichols as a recovering alcoholic. She said he had been sober for at least four years and never piloted a balloon after drinking. Nichols, who had been stripped of his driver’s license at least twice, “couldn’t drive a car but he could pilot a hot air balloon,” said an attorney who represented a passenger who sued Nichols in 2013. The passenger said she was hurt when Nichols crash-landed a balloon in the St. Louis suburbs.  (AP) See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Tumblr.