New Mexico balloonist who crossed Pacific dies

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A member of the four-man crew that made the first balloon crossing of the Pacific Ocean in 1981 has died.

Ron Clark was 69. He died Sunday in Albuquerque, where he had lived since 1944.

Clark, along with Ben Abruzzo, Larry Newman and Rocky Aoki, lifted off in the helium-filled Double Eagle V from Japan on Nov. 9, 1981.

They spent four harrowing days crossing the Pacific before the balloon crash-landed in northern California, ending the 6,000-mile flight.

In a homecoming celebration in Albuquerque after the flight, Clark recalled the flight as both full of happiness and sadness.

Services for Clark are set for Friday in Albuquerque.