WASHINGTON — Though it has not released the final cause, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has offered new details in the deadly balloon crash that killed three people in Virginia last spring.
The balloon, which had held a pilot and two University of Richmond coaching staff members, Ginny Doyle and Natalie Lewis, had hit power lines upon its descent at the the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Balloon Festival in Doswell, Va., on May 9.
According to local reports on Friday, pilot Daniel Kirk died of blunt force trauma. He had allergy medication in his system, and was taking a prescription for blood pressure but there was no indication that either had anything to do with the accident.
“Multiple eyewitnesses reported that the accident balloon approached the intended landing area from the south where another balloon had just landed,” the report reads. “As the accident balloon approached the landing site, the pilot engaged the burner; however, the balloon struck powerlines, which resulted in a spark.”
Doyle served as associate coach on the women’s basketball team. Lewis was Director of Basketball Operations for the program.
The final report should be released in February or March.
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