AVIATION RECORD HOLDER STEVE FOSSETT MISSING

Bruno Ogorelec · Post by **Bruno Ogorelec** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 7:57 pm

AVIATION RECORD HOLDER STEVE FOSSETT MISSING
Searchers are combing an area of western Nevada looking for adventurer Steve Fossett, who was reported missing in his Citabria Super Decathlon early this morning. The Nevada Record-Courier is reporting that Fossett left the Hilton Ranch in the Smith Valley in the aircraft Monday evening. It's not known where he was heading.
Nevada Civil Air Patrol spokeswoman Maj. Cynthia Ryan said three crews were launched early today and more will be dispatched through the day. A check of neighboring airports apparently came up empty. The aircraft Fossett was seen taking off in is blue and white and the terrain in the area of the Hilton ranch is rugged and sparsely populated. Fossett is best known for his around-the-world flight in a balloon and another unrefueled flight in a single-engine jet aircraft. He was in Nevada recently preparing for a land-speed record attempt in a jet-powered car on the Bonneville Flats but it's not known why he was at the Hilton Ranch.

Anders Troberg · Post by **Anders Troberg** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 6:21 am

Let's hope he's just out in the wilderness somewhere with a technical problem, unhurt and waiting for a ride home, and that he'll be found soon.

Wikipedia has recent news, as well as information about his achievements:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Fossett

Jim Berquist · Post by **Jim Berquist** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:42 am

That was a really small plane but I find it hard that they have not been able to find him this far. It even had a beacon! It was a catastrophic crash or he is sitting on some rock someplace all pissed off wishing he was in his balloon. He's a smart man, If he made it alive on event, Then he is alive.

Anders Troberg · Post by **Anders Troberg** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:10 am

My guess on the situation is that there are three probable scenarios:

1. Since the emergency transmitter is not working, he landed safely due to some technical error that also prevents the emergency transmitter from working. He is waiting for a ride home.
2. Suicide. The emergency transmitter was turned off or otherwise disabled, then the plane was crashed into something hard.
3. Medical emergency. He go a heart attack or some other serious condition, landed safely, then died.

These scenarios are based on:

* The lack of signals from the emergency transmitter.
* He was an experienced pilot, flying an aircraft well suited for bush landings.

Given the range and lack of flight plan, it's not strange that it will take some time to find him. Given his experience and choice of aircraft, I'd say that, under the circumstances, his chances are about as good as they can be.

Let's hope we don't get another pilot hero end up with an unknown fate like Amelia Earhardt or Lidia Litvak (although she was found some 30 years later) did.