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/6981155.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Fears mount for missing Fossett Fears growing for missing Fossett
(about 7 hours later)
Fears are growing for the safety of record-breaking US pilot Steve Fossett, who has been missing in the Nevada desert for three days. Search teams are continuing to scour the deserts of north-west Nevada for missing US pilot Steve Fossett amid increasing fears for his safety.
There has been no word from Mr Fossett since the 63-year-old was seen taking off from a private airfield near Yerington, Nevada, on Monday evening.There has been no word from Mr Fossett since the 63-year-old was seen taking off from a private airfield near Yerington, Nevada, on Monday evening.
A local pilot has suggested the plane, a single-engine Citabria, may have been hit by the area's treacherous winds. Members of the US National Guard and helicopters with thermal imaging technology have joined the operation.
Members of the US National Guard have now joined the search for Mr Fossett. Authorities say it could take a week to cover the search area.
It's extremely worrying that it's lasted three days Sir Richard Branson class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6979782.stm">In pictures: Fossett's records class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/2078591.stm">Profile: Steve Fossett class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6980928.stm">Rescuers scour desert Adam Mayberry, a local pilot and former spokesman for the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, suggested Mr Fossett's single-engine Citabria may have been hit by treacherous winds.
Adam Mayberry, former spokesman for the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, described the difficult flying conditions in the area where Mr Fossett went missing, an inhospitable landscape of desert and ravines.
"There's been times when I've been flying in the wind and my blood turns cold," Mr Mayberry said."There's been times when I've been flying in the wind and my blood turns cold," Mr Mayberry said.
See a map of the area See a map of the area
British billionaire Sir Richard Branson, who has partnered Mr Fossett on earlier record-breaking attempts, said the lack of news was worrying. British billionaire Sir Richard Branson, who has partnered Mr Fossett on earlier record-breaking attempts, said the lack of news was worrying. It's extremely worrying that it's lasted three days Sir Richard Branson class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6979782.stm">In pictures: Fossett's records class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/2078591.stm">Profile: Steve Fossett class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6980928.stm">Rescuers scour desert
"He's the number one gliding pilot in the world, as well as the number one aviator in the world... If anybody could have glided [this plane] down, it would have been him," he said."He's the number one gliding pilot in the world, as well as the number one aviator in the world... If anybody could have glided [this plane] down, it would have been him," he said.
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 transcontinental titles for non-military aircraft
"But obviously, it's extremely worrying that it's lasted three days," he said."But obviously, it's extremely worrying that it's lasted three days," he said.
"If the worst comes to the worst... Steve's lived his life to the full, and he hasn't wasted a minute of his life," he added."If the worst comes to the worst... Steve's lived his life to the full, and he hasn't wasted a minute of his life," he added.
A senior member of the rescue team said they would find Steve Fossett, but conceded that the longer radio silence lasted, the more ominous the situation appeared. 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 transcontinental titles for non-military aircraft A senior member of the rescue team said they would find Mr Fossett, but conceded that the longer radio silence lasted, the more ominous the situation appeared.
Since Mr Fossett's disappearance, rescuers have flown more than a dozen sorties, but they say it is like looking for "a needle in a haystack".Since Mr Fossett's disappearance, rescuers have flown more than a dozen sorties, but they say it is like looking for "a needle in a haystack".
The search is focusing on an area of 600 sq miles (1,555 sq km), but the only clue as to Mr Fossett's 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 to Mr Fossett's whereabouts is that he was intending to fly south.
Mr Fossett did not file a flight plan with the aviation authorities before taking off because he was not required to do so, but the plan could have helped rescuers find him. Mr Fossett did not file a flight plan with the aviation authorities before taking off because he was not required to do so.
It is also understood Mr Fossett had some communication equipment with him, including a special emergency watch which he could have used to signal his position.It is also understood Mr Fossett had some communication equipment with him, including a special emergency watch which he could have used to signal his position.
Record breaker Record-breaker
Mr Fossett's family reported him missing after he failed to return from a trip which should have lasted just a few hours.Mr Fossett's family reported him missing after he failed to return from a trip which should have lasted just a few hours.
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.
Return Return