One Person Still Missing After The Aircraft Went Down In The Pacific

The body of the pilot of the balloon which went down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Peru Sunday has been located, according to Peruvian officials. The remains of Juan Carlos Fernandez were found near a beach in Cerro Azul, according to a report from the BBC.

Officials say they plan to press charges against the company which operated the balloon, Globos Peru SAC. The balloon reportedly was not registered and not licensed for commercial operations.

One of the survivors told authorities that Fernandez had said that the balloon was "out of gas." The survivor, identified as Melisa Contreras, also said that the missing passenger had suffered "a nervous breakdown" after the accident and panicked. She said they were unable to calm him down.

Officials said that Globos Peru's license limited the company to sporting or recreational flights carrying no more than two passengers. There were six passengers on board when the balloon went down, none of whom were wearing life preservers on the flight. The five who survived are said to be recovering from hypothermia, sun stroke, and exhaustion after being in the water for more than eight hours after the accident.

FMI: www.airlineupdate.com/content_subscription/authorities/south_america/peru.htm