What Happened On August 17th?
On August 17, 1978, Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman made history when they landed their balloon, Double Eagle II, in a field near Miserey, France. They became the first to successfully cross the Atlantic Ocean by balloon, covering over 3,099 miles from Presque Isle, Maine, to the French countryside. Strong winds in the final moments forced them to make a rough landing. Despite this, they emerged from the balloon to cheers from local farmers who quickly realized what had been accomplished.
Earlier that day, the crew faced strong winds as they neared the European coast. They worked hard to keep the balloon on course, knowing they were close to achieving something extraordinary. When they finally brought the Double Eagle II down safely in a wheat field, they knew they had completed their mission. The rough landing did not diminish their sense of triumph; they had crossed the Atlantic.
As news of their landing spread, people around the world celebrated. Abruzzo, Anderson, and Newman had taken off from Presque Isle on August 11, and their journey had been anything but easy. Storms over the Atlantic forced them to fly as high as 24,000 feet, where intense cold and ice on the balloon’s surface added to their challenges. The men worked without rest to keep the balloon in the air, discarding sandbags and other items to maintain altitude.
Maxie Anderson often took the lead during critical moments. When the balloon started losing altitude rapidly, Anderson quickly decided to jettison everything non-essential. His quick thinking kept them in the air and allowed them to continue. The crew’s ability to make fast decisions under pressure played a key part in their success. Interestingly, the team made these decisions while navigating without GPS, relying instead on celestial navigation using a sextant—an old-world tool in a modern achievement.
Throughout the flight, the men communicated with people on the ground through a radio, receiving weather updates and advice. This contact provided crucial information but also reminded them that the whole world was watching. News outlets closely followed their progress, and the crew knew millions were paying attention. They felt the pressure, fully aware of the risks they faced. What many didn’t know was that the team kept a logbook of personal thoughts and reflections during the flight. This logbook, later published, revealed the emotional and psychological challenges they faced, such as moments of doubt and fear during severe weather.
By August 16th, when they first sighted the European coast, the crew felt relief. However, strong winds still threatened to push them off course, so they navigated carefully as they approached land. When they finally saw a wheat field near Miserey, France, they chose to land there. The landing was rough, but it brought their journey to a successful end. The rough landing also caused the balloon’s envelope to partially deflate, a scenario the crew had rehearsed multiple times before the flight in case of emergency.
The events of August 17, 1978, achieved what adventurers had dreamed of for centuries. The idea of crossing the Atlantic by balloon had fascinated explorers since the 1700s, but before Double Eagle II, all previous attempts had ended in failure. Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman succeeded where others had not, opening a new chapter in the history of flight.
Each member of the crew brought unique skills to the mission. Ben Abruzzo, a real estate developer from Albuquerque, had attempted the crossing before in the Double Eagle I, but that effort failed. Anderson, known for his resilience and experience in tough situations, proved invaluable during the flight. Newman, the youngest of the group, contributed optimism and energy that kept the crew going during difficult times. Newman, who was an experienced hang glider, brought a perspective on flight that differed from his older teammates, and he later described the balloon’s descent as “gliding on air” despite the tension.
The success of the Double Eagle II encouraged other adventurers to explore new possibilities with balloons. The National Air And Space Museum later acquired the balloon for permanent display, preserving it as a symbol of human determination and creativity. The journey captured the imagination of people around the world, proving that perseverance and teamwork could overcome even the toughest challenges.
When the three balloonists returned home, people hailed them as heroes. They received numerous awards, including the Congressional Gold Medal, in recognition of their extraordinary achievement. Despite the accolades, Abruzzo, Anderson, and Newman remained humble and credited their success to the entire team. They acknowledged the support of their ground crew, weather experts, and many others who had contributed to their journey. In interviews after the flight, the crew often highlighted the contributions of Jeannette Piccard, one of the pioneers of ballooning, whose advice on altitude and weather helped shape their strategy.
