The World - News from Feb. 19, 1989
A Japanese balloonist who tried to make the first solo flight across the Pacific Ocean ended his adventure by intentionally ditching in the sea, where he was rescued by fishermen 12 hours later. Fumio Niwa, 38, was in good condition after suffering a severe bout of seasickness, a spokesman said. Niwa was picked up close to where he came down, 400 miles off the coast of Minami Torishima, an island 1,550 miles southeast of Tokyo. The balloonist took off Wednesday from Yokohama, originally planning to reach San Diego, but a lack of proper winds forced him to abort his effort.
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