DEJECTED Swindon-born adventurer David Hempleman-Adams was due home today after his ill-fated attempt to fly solo across the Atlantic in a wicker basket balloon.
The Bath-based Chase de Vere Atlantic Challenge team decided to abandon the bid just 24 hours after takeoff.
David's autopilot failed, forcing him to ditch the five-tonne balloon, which was laden with liquid oxygen, propane gas and helium, into a tree in Hebron, Connecticut.
Flight director Dr David Owen radioed David to tell him he would be "absolutely bonkers" to attempt to fly over the Atlantic without the aid of an autopilot.
He aimed the specially-made balloon at a tree to take the speed out of the descent and then smashed into the ground, but emerged unscathed.
Last year, he had to abandon an attempt to fly a balloon over Mount Everest, but he has vowed make another attempt.
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