Jonathan Trappe
The balloonist left Thursday in an attempt to fly across the Atlantic Ocean using helium balloons. Youtube.com-NorthernMaine

After only 12-hours of what would have been a six day journey 39-year-old Johnathan Trappe was forced to land his balloon powered aircraft in Newfoundland, Canada. The North Carolina man's attempt to fly across the Atlantic Ocean using balloons in a fashion similar to the Pixar animated film "Up" had failed. "Up" was the story of an old man who did not want to move out of his home an into a retirement community. Looking to fulfill his deceased wife's dream of living in South America the old man flies his house to paradise falls using balloons to float and a mechanism to steer.

Trappe landed in Newfoundland around 6:30pm on Thursday. The adventurer had only traveled 350 of the 2,500 miles he had planned. After landing Trappe went on Facebook and posted a comment saying "Hmmm, this doesn't look like France." "Landed safe at an alternate location," he said. "Remote. I put the exposure canopy up on the boat. Will stay here for the night." The balloon craft was forced to land due to a technical issue having to do with the 370 helium-filled balloons carrying Trappe up into the air.

Kevin Knapp was overseeing Trappe's flight from a command center confirmed to Aero News Network that Trappe was forced to abandon his attempt to cross the Atlantic. The balloons were not able to achieve the proper altitude and stabilize. The aircraft developed a yoyo effect rapidly decreasing in altitude touching the surface of the water than quickly ascending to altitudes of 21,000-feet or higher. After confirming to news outlets that Trappe canceled the remainder of the flight Knapp said, "Thankfully he is safe and well and currently making preparations to get home. While disappointing that he had to cut his quest across the Atlantic short, I know Jonathan thanks everyone for their support and encouragement."

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