Richard Branson and Per Lindstrand were confident they could be the first balloonists to cross the Atlantic, thanks to the revolutionary design of their balloon, the Virgin Challenger.
Their mission was success. But as they tried to land in Ireland, they lost control and crash-landed, narrowly missing an electricity pylon. Losing three fuel tanks, the sudden drop in weight launched them high into the air. Their best option was now to crash-land in the Irish Sea.
When they hit the water, Lindstrand bailed out and waited for Branson to toss out the life jackets. But before he had a chance, the balloon launched back into the air, leaving Lindstrand adrift in freezing water.
It quickly climbed to 3000 metres, but Branson's luck changed and he got the balloon down and jumped very near to a Royal Navy ship and helicopter. After rescuing Branson, Lindstrand was soon located.
Reunited in Ireland, Branson and Lindstrand had made history but it had almost cost them their lives.
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