Crossword Genius

Balloonist near auto that's crashed (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aeronaut

'balloonist' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'near auto that's crashed' is the wordplay.
'that's crashed' indicates anagramming the letters.
'near'+'auto'='nearauto'
'nearauto' with letters rearranged gives 'AERONAUT'.

(Other definitions for aeronaut that I've seen before include "Early traveller by air" , "Pilot, flier" , "Balloonist" , "Someone who operates an aircraft" , "Space pilot" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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