DHAKA: A record-breaking attempt to cross the Pacific Ocean using a solar-powered plane has been aborted.

Poor weather conditions are forcing the Solar Impulse craft to head back to Japan to land.

The pilot was 36 hours into what was expected to be a six-day journey from China to Hawaii.

The team will now wait in Japan for clearer skies before attempting to continue.

Bertrand Piccard, who has been watching the flight from mission control, in Monaco, said, ‘We are not daredevils, we are explorers’, reports the BBC.

‘We have to put safety at the top of all of our priorities.’

‘Everyone is very happy with the plane - but the weather does not fit.’

‘We land in Nagoya and we wait for better conditions to continue.’

This is the seventh leg in an attempt to circumnavigate the globe using just the energy of the Sun.

The experimental craft, which is covered in 17,000 solar cells, took off from Abu Dhabi in March.

The Pacific crossing, however, was always going to be the most challenging part of this epic journey.

The team has already had to wait for a month in Nanjing for the right weather conditions.

BDST: 1358 HRS, JUN 01, 2015
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