NEW : Ed Ristaino was an `` accomplished balloon pilot , '' friend and fellow balloonist says . He died in a plane crash on his way to the South Pole with two other balloons. He went missing Friday after his hot air balloon was pulled into a storm . A friend of Ristaino 's called him an `` accomplished balloon pilot '' who had logged `` many hours of safe balloon operation . '' Five skydivers who went up with him jumped and are safe .
NEW : Ed Ristaino was an `` accomplished balloon pilot , '' friend and fellow balloonist says . He died in a plane crash on his way to the South Pole with two other balloons. He went missing Friday after his hot air balloon was pulled into a storm . Five skydivers who went up with him jumped and are safe .