Search Continues For Missing US Adventurer

Posted on: Sep. 5th, 2007 || Source: Voice of America | E-mail Article | Print Article

Search Continues For Missing US Adventurer

Officials and volunteers in the western U.S. state of Nevada will resume their search Wednesday for missing American adventurer Steve Fossett.

The 63-year-old Fossett disappeared Monday, after he took off from a private airstrip aboard a small plane. More than 13 aircraft were deployed to search the rugged terrain of western Nevada, but called off the search late Tuesday as nightfall approached.

Fossett was flying south to look for dry lake beds where he could attempt to break the land-speed record, and had been expected to return within a couple of hours. Authorities say he did not file a flight plan before he took off.

His plane had an emergency locator radio beacon, but rescue planes have not picked up any signals.

Searchers from the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, Tuesday say they remain confident that Fossett is alive.

Fossett is well-known for his record-setting adventures in balloons, sailboats, gliders and powered aircraft.

In 2002, Fossett became the first person to fly around the world alone in a balloon. In 2005, he became the first person to fly an airplane solo around the world without refueling.

Sir Richard Branson, the British entrepreneur who sponsored Fossett's 2005 flight, says the American "is a tough old boot" who is waiting for someone to rescue him.
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