Balloon crash pilot was convicted of drink-driving four times

The pilot of a hot air balloon that crashed in Texas, killing all 16 people aboard, was convicted of drink-driving at least four times 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.