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Search for Steve Fossett resumes Search for Steve Fossett resumes
(about 1 hour later)
A search for missing pilot and record-breaking US adventurer Steve Fossett has resumed in the Nevada desert, officials say. Rescue teams have resumed their search for record-breaking US adventurer and pilot Steve Fossett, who has gone missing in the Nevada desert.
Mr Fossett, 63, was last seen taking off from a private airfield at the Flying M Ranch near Yerington, Nevada, on Monday evening. The 63-year-old was last seen taking off from a private airfield at the Flying M Ranch near Yerington, Nevada, on Monday evening.
Mr Fossett was flying a single-engine Citabria plane.Mr Fossett was flying a single-engine Citabria plane.
Rescuers have since flown more than a dozen sorties, but they say it is like looking for a needle in a haystack.Rescuers have since flown more than a dozen sorties, but they say it is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
See a map of the area See a map of the area
Rescue teams will be focusing their efforts on an area of 600 square miles (1,555 square km), but the only clue rescuers have as to his whereabouts is that he was intending to fly south. The search is focusing on an area of 600 sq miles (1,555 sq km), but the only clue as to his whereabouts is that he was intending to fly south.
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. 'Wonderful history'
Mr Fossett's family reported him missing after he failed to return from a trip which should have lasted just a few hours.
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 In pictures: Fossett's records Profile: Steve Fossett The tough search for FossettSteve is a tough old boot. I suspect he is waiting by his plane right now for someone to pick him up Sir Richard Branson In pictures: Fossett's records Profile: Steve Fossett The tough search for Fossett
Conditions for Mr Fossett's flight had reportedly been optimal, with calm to light winds. Friends of the adventurer, and those searching for him, sounded upbeat on his chances of survival.
"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. Maj Cynthia Ryan of the Civil Air Patrol, the organisation heading the search, said Mr Fossett had a "wonderful history" of surviving on his own.
Mr Gregor said the Air Force's Rescue Co-ordination Center in Langley, Virginia, was overseeing the search. "He's done it more than once. If anyone has to be lost out there, this guy has the skills to survive."
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. Sir Richard Branson, a former crewmate of Mr Fossett, said he was confident his friend would be found safe and well.
Exclusive airstrip "Steve is a tough old boot. I suspect he is waiting by his plane right now for someone to pick him up," he told the BBC.
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. 'Ominous' silence
The BBC's David Willis, in Nevada, says the area being combed by search-and-rescue teams is an inhospitable landscape of desert and ravines.
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 aircraftSOME 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
"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. High winds have hampered the search effort, making it difficult for planes to fly low enough to peer into the gullies.
"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." But Mr Fossett had plenty of fuel, along with a radio and mobile phone - so the longer his silence continues, the more ominous it becomes, our correspondent says.
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.
Record breaker
Mr Fossett made his fortune in the American financial services industry.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.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.
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