Pilots of the Global Hilton hot air balloon have parachuted to safety after a technical problem dashed their plans for the first round-the-world non-stop flight.

David Rutan could see the humour in failing (13")

The two pilots, Dick Rutan, 59, and Dave Melton, 39, free-fell before opening their parachutes and landing in good condition about 100 miles (161 kilometers) away from the take-off site at Albequerque, New Mexico.

A helium cell in the top of the silver balloon ruptured at an altitude of about 9,000 meters (30,000 feet).

The Global Hilton hot-air ballon

The $1m (£613,000) attempt at one of aviation's last frontiers was the third by a balloon team since December 31. Two balloonists in Switzerland also plan to launch soon.

Chicago millionaire Steve Fossett, whose fourth round-the-world bid ended on Monday on the edge of the Black Sea, has speculated that a successful trip might need a pressurized capsule. His balloon, Solo Spirit, did not have one.

Mr Fossett had hoped to break his own record of travelling 10,361 miles (16,675 kilometers) in a balloon, or his record for longest flight - six days and two-and-a-half hours.

Solo Spirit's gondola

Those records were set in January 1997 when he was forced to land in a mustard field in India after running out of fuel.

British tycoon Richard Branson's attempt was foiled when his Virgin Global Explorer was ripped free by a strong gust of wind.

Another balloonist, Kevin Uliassi, left Loves Park, Illinois, on New Year's Eve but an equipment problem forced him to land a few hours later in Indiana.

Anheuser-Busch is offering $500,000 (£307,000) to the first person or team to circle the globe in a balloon, along with $500,000 to the charity of the winner's choice. The deadline is December 31, 1999.

The race has heated up because January jet streams provide an ideal time to fly.

David Rutan: safe and good spirits

But come February, thunderstorms build and weather conditions become less favourable, said Mr Rutan, a former Air Force pilot from Mojave, California, who helped fly the experimental plane Voyager around the world non-stop 11 years ago.

The Voyager now hangs in the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum.
 

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©