A former space shuttle commander and fighter pilot has testified that pilot error was to blame when ex-New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle (LY'-duhl) and an instructor crashed into a Manhattan apartment building.

Retired astronaut Robert "Hoot" Gibson testified Friday in the civil case brought by the families of Lidle and the instructor against the company that manufactured the Cirrus SR-20. Their lawyers claim the crash occurred after pilot controls jammed. Gibson testified in federal court for Cirrus Design Corp., a Duluth, Minn.-based plane manufacturer.

He said Lidle and the instructor failed to adjust to the wind conditions and did not leave enough room to turn when they crashed in October 2006. Both men died. Gibson's testimony was consistent with the conclusion of aircraft regulators who studied the crash.