Heartbreaking photos emerged Monday, many of them selfies, taken by some of the 16 Texas hot air balloon victims smiling with loved ones just before they plunged to their deaths in a fireball.

The series of images posted on their social media sites reveal the sheer excitement of the 15 passengers and pilot Alfred “Skip” Nichols before the tragedy, which occurred about 20 minutes after takeoff around 7:30 a.m. Sunday.

The balloon had traveled about eight miles before its basket struck power lines and went down in a smoky fireball, killing everyone on board.

Officials said Monday that Nichols, 49, was in compliance with federal regulations, which allowed a maximum of 16 people in the gondola. But it was also revealed that the balloon pilot had four prior arrests for driving while intoxicated.

One of the victims, Matt Rowan, a professor with the US Army Institute of Surgical Research, posted a grinning photo with his newlywed wife, Sunday Rowan, from the basket high above Lockhart, Texas. The two left behind a 5-year-old son.

Paige Brabson, who recently had her first child, and her mom, Lorilee Brabson, also posted happy pictures together inside the gondola. One photo showed a smiling Paige, who purchased the tickets as a Mother’s Day gift, with cartoonish superimposed dog ears, a long tongue and a snout.

Married Texas couple Brian and Tressie Neill also died in the mishap with their buddy, Holly Huchabee.

The couple, who had two young adult daughters, posted a Facebook photo with a message from Tressie, stating, “Up early heading out for the anniversary surprise Brian’s had planned for months! I’m super excited! and sleepy.”

The National Transportation Safety Board is analyzing the photos for clues into the crash.

NTSB spokesman Christopher O’Neill told The Post that the agency plans to conduct toxicology tests on Nichols’ remains.

In 2000, Nichols was arrested on a felony charge of drunk driving in Missouri, but pleaded down to a misdemeanor. He had three other DWI arrests from 2002 to 2010.