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 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| US adventurer Fossett is missing | US adventurer Fossett is missing |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| An extensive search has been launched for record-breaking US adventurer Steve Fossett, who went missing in his airplane 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 "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 "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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. |