Woman Says Flight Got 'Rowdy'

A balloon pilot from Celina, TX pled guilty to charges of simple assault after giving a 19-year old woman a ride over the summer.

Ryan Smith -- who goes by the name "Rowdy" -- reportedly gave the woman a ride at the National Balloon Classic in Warren County, Iowa back in July. The arrest report, quoted by the Celina Courier-Gazette, says Smith told the woman as she was getting ready for the ride... she was going to have to take off her underwire bra.

The reason? Tthe report says Smith warned her that microwave transmissions from nearby broadcast towers might cause it to heat up and burn her.

The report also states once airborne, when they were alone... Smith asked the woman several times to expose her breasts for him. When she refused... he reportedly told her he would charge her $400 for the ride.

Smith maintains it was dark and windy at the time of the ride -- and he had his hands full just trying to maintain control of the balloon.

"There is not any time for any kind of foolishness when you’re in the air," he said.

But all the same... he pleaded guilty in court last month, and paid a total of $114.50 in fines.

"She can say what she wants," said Smith, regarding the woman’s claims. "But I just wasn’t prepared to spend thousands of dollars to do something that for $100 went away."

FMI: www.nationalballoonclassic.com