LOCKHART, Texas — The pilot of a hot air balloon that crashed in Texas, killing all 16 people aboard, was convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol at least four times in Missouri and twice spent time in prison, court records show.
A former girlfriend described Alfred ‘‘Skip’’ Nichols as a recovering alcoholic. She said the 49-year-old had been sober for at least four years and never piloted a balloon after drinking.
Nichols pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated in St. Louis County in 1990, then twice in 2002 and again in 2010. He was also convicted of a drug crime in 2000 and spent about 18 months in prison before being paroled. He was returned to prison in April 2010 after his parole was revoked because of his drunken driving conviction that year. He was paroled again in January 2012.
Also in Missouri, the Better Business Bureau warned consumers about doing business with a balloon touring company Nichols used to operate in that state.
The former girlfriend, Wendy Bartch, said Nichols ‘‘did not fly when he wasn’t supposed to. Having other people’s lives at stake was Skip’s primary concern.’’
Authorities have not named anyone killed in Saturday’s crash, saying it could take a while to identify the bodies. But Nichols was identified as the pilot by his friend and roommate Alan Lirette, who said that Nichols was a good pilot.
‘‘That’s the only thing I want to talk about, is that he’s a great pilot,’’ Lirette said, speaking from a house he shared with Nichols in Kyle, Texas. ‘‘There’s going to be all kinds of reports out in the press, and I want a positive image there too.’’
Authorities say the balloon, which was operated by Heart of Texas Hot Air Balloon Rides, hit high-tension power lines before crashing into a pasture Saturday near Lockhart.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. Member Robert Sumwalt said the pilot was licensed.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported in 2008 that the Better Business Bureau had warned consumers about doing business with Nichols.
