An Austin congressman, whose district runs into parts of San Antonio, has offered up federal legislation to make hot-air balloon flights safer. It's a response to the balloon crash that killed 16 people near Lockhart in 2016. As heard on Texas Public Radio
The National Transportation and Safety Board's investigation discovered that the balloon pilot had drugs in his system, includingValiumandoxycodone, a prescription opiate.
U.S. congressman LloydDoggettintroduced an amendment to a Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Bill that aims to improve safety on all commercial balloon flights, includingensuringpilots' physical health.
“TheNTSBfound that the FAA’s refusal to require commercial balloon operators to obtain a medical certificate that they are suitable for flying contributed to this crash. My bipartisan amendment would end this exemption,”Doggettsaid.
The legislation withDoggett’samendment is up for a vote this week.
Ryan Poppe can be reached atrpoppe@tpr.orgor on Twitter@RyanPoppe1
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