This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6978818.stm
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| US adventurer Fossett is missing | US adventurer Fossett is missing |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| An extensive search has been launched for record-breaking US adventurer Steve Fossett, who went missing in his aeroplane in the Nevada desert. | |
| Mr Fossett was reportedly last seen taking off from the private airfield at the Flying M Ranch near Yerington, Nevada, on Monday evening. | Mr Fossett was reportedly last seen taking off from the private airfield at the Flying M Ranch near Yerington, Nevada, on Monday evening. |
| He was flying a blue and white single-engine Citabria plane. | He was flying a blue and white single-engine Citabria plane. |
| A Civil Air Patrol spokeswoman, Major Cynthia Ryan, said 13 planes were searching for the 63-year-old. | A Civil Air Patrol spokeswoman, Major Cynthia Ryan, said 13 planes were searching for the 63-year-old. |
| The authorities were alerted when Mr Fossett's family reported him missing after he failed to return from a trip which should have lasted just a few hours. | The authorities were alerted when Mr Fossett's family reported him missing after he failed to return from a trip which should have lasted just a few hours. |
| Maj Ryan said conditions for Mr Fossett's flight had been "optimal", with calm to light winds. | Maj Ryan said conditions for Mr Fossett's flight had been "optimal", with calm to light winds. |
| Steve is a tough old boot. I suspect he is waiting by his plane right now for someone to pick him up Sir Richard Branson Profile: Steve Fossett "The Civil Air Patrol is looking for him. One problem is he doesn't appear to have filed a flight plan," Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor told the Associated Press news agency. | Steve is a tough old boot. I suspect he is waiting by his plane right now for someone to pick him up Sir Richard Branson Profile: Steve Fossett "The Civil Air Patrol is looking for him. One problem is he doesn't appear to have filed a flight plan," Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor told the Associated Press news agency. |
| Mr Gregor said the Air Force's Rescue Co-ordination Center in Langley, Virginia was overseeing the search. | Mr Gregor said the Air Force's Rescue Co-ordination Center in Langley, Virginia was overseeing the search. |
| Officials say Mr Fossett's plane was fitted with an electronic beacon which can be picked up by satellites, but have refused to comment on whether any signal has been located. | Officials say Mr Fossett's plane was fitted with an electronic beacon which can be picked up by satellites, but have refused to comment on whether any signal has been located. |
| Exclusive airstrip | Exclusive airstrip |
| Speaking to the BBC about the disappearance of his former crewmate and one-time ballooning rival, Virgin Atlantic President Sir Richard Branson said he was confident his friend would be found safe and well. | Speaking to the BBC about the disappearance of his former crewmate and one-time ballooning rival, Virgin Atlantic President Sir Richard Branson said he was confident his friend would be found safe and well. |
| "Steve is a tough old boot. I suspect he is waiting by his plane right now for someone to pick him up," Mr Branson said. | "Steve is a tough old boot. I suspect he is waiting by his plane right now for someone to pick him up," Mr Branson said. |
| "The ranch he took off from covers a huge area and Steve has had far tougher challenges to overcome in the past. Based on his track record, I feel confident we'll get some good news soon." | "The ranch he took off from covers a huge area and Steve has had far tougher challenges to overcome in the past. Based on his track record, I feel confident we'll get some good news soon." |
| Mr Branson's spokesman said Mr Fossett was carrying four full tanks of fuel, and was searching for empty lake beds suitable for an upcoming attempt at the land speed record. | Mr Branson's spokesman said Mr Fossett was carrying four full tanks of fuel, and was searching for empty lake beds suitable for an upcoming attempt at the land speed record. |
| Trooper Chuck Allen from the Nevada Highway Patrol told the BBC that teams from neighbouring California were aiding the search. | Trooper Chuck Allen from the Nevada Highway Patrol told the BBC that teams from neighbouring California were aiding the search. |
| "Several aircraft (are) flying many hundreds of square miles doing a very extensive grid search to try to locate this particular aircraft," he said. | "Several aircraft (are) flying many hundreds of square miles doing a very extensive grid search to try to locate this particular aircraft," he said. |
| The search was later suspended for the night. | The search was later suspended for the night. |
| Mr Fossett reportedly took off from an airstrip near Yerington, Nevada, owned by William Barron Hilton, heir and co-chairman of the Hilton Hotel chain. | Mr Fossett reportedly took off from an airstrip near Yerington, Nevada, owned by William Barron Hilton, heir and co-chairman of the Hilton Hotel chain. |
| Record breaker | Record breaker |
| Since the 1960s the airstrip has been regarded as a Mecca for pilots and a popular haunt for world class aviators and astronauts alike. | Since the 1960s the airstrip has been regarded as a Mecca for pilots and a popular haunt for world class aviators and astronauts alike. |
| SOME OF FOSSETT'S RECORDS 1998/2002: Long-distance for solo ballooning2001/2002: Duration for solo ballooning2002: First solo round-the-world balloon flightFirst balloon crossings of Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, South Atlantic, South Pacific, Indian OceansSeven fastest speed sailing titles13 World Sailing Speed Record Council titles2001: Fastest transatlantic sailing2004: Fastest round-the-world sailingRound-the-world titles for medium airplanesUS trans-continental titles for non-military aircraft | SOME OF FOSSETT'S RECORDS 1998/2002: Long-distance for solo ballooning2001/2002: Duration for solo ballooning2002: First solo round-the-world balloon flightFirst balloon crossings of Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, South Atlantic, South Pacific, Indian OceansSeven fastest speed sailing titles13 World Sailing Speed Record Council titles2001: Fastest transatlantic sailing2004: Fastest round-the-world sailingRound-the-world titles for medium airplanesUS trans-continental titles for non-military aircraft |
| In 1981 Mr Barron Hilton founded the Barron Hilton Cup, a prestigious international competition for gliders. | In 1981 Mr Barron Hilton founded the Barron Hilton Cup, a prestigious international competition for gliders. |
| Mr Fossett made his fortune in the American financial services industry, but he is best known for the impressive number of world records he has broken as a pilot, balloonist and sailor. | Mr Fossett made his fortune in the American financial services industry, but he is best known for the impressive number of world records he has broken as a pilot, balloonist and sailor. |
| He has set 116 records in five different sports, more than 60 of which remain unbroken. | He has set 116 records in five different sports, more than 60 of which remain unbroken. |
| Last year Mr Fossett broke the world record for flying further than anyone else in history. | Last year Mr Fossett broke the world record for flying further than anyone else in history. |
| In March 2005, he became the first person to fly a plane solo around the world without refuelling. | In March 2005, he became the first person to fly a plane solo around the world without refuelling. |
| And in 2002 he was the first person to fly a balloon around the world solo. | And in 2002 he was the first person to fly a balloon around the world solo. |