Filed in archive Aviation News by Terah Shelton on September 5, 2007

The search for aviator Steve Fossett continued for the second straight day. However, according to a Yahoo! News article, his plane may have encountered heavy Sierra Nevada winds, which have claimed the lives for numerous pilots over the years. The search for Fossett will continue, but area is the size of Connecticut. Let's keep this pioneer in our thoughts and prayers.

Fossett's plane, a Bellanca Citabria Super Decathlon, had a locator device that sends a satellite signal after a rough landing, but no such signal had been received.

Fossett always wears a Breitling Emergency wristwatch that allows pilots to turn a knob and immediately signal their location, said granger Whitelaw, a fellow pilot and a co-founder of the Rocket Racing League. But no such signal was activated.

Authorities said at one point they thought they had spotted Fossett's plane and sent in a helicopter crew to confirm.

"We thought we had it nailed," Nevada Civil Air Patrol Maj. Cynthia Ryan told reporters late Wednesday. "Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of many dozen unmapped wreck sites from previous years."

Wind gusts in the area can whip up without warning from any direction, with sudden downdrafts that can drag a plane clear to the ground. Passengers flying even on commercial airliners between Las Vegas and Reno know to keep their seat belts fastened for a ride that is never smooth.

Related Entries:

Still No Sign or Word from Fossett - 10 September 2007
Ground Search Begins for Fossett - 30 September 2007
Search For Steve Fossett Continues on the Ground - 30 September 2007
Search for Steve Fossett Suspended. Again. - 03 October 2007

« Steve Fossett is Missing | Main | Airlines Keeping Flights ... »

Permalink: Search for Steve Fossett Continues

Tags: Steve Fossett Sierra Nevada winds Aviation Weblog aviation steve+fossett

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Vote for Search for Steve Fossett Continues:

Currently 7.25/10
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Rating: 7.25 out of 4 vote(s) cast.

Response from: Owen (09/10/07 8:56am)

Can anyone tell me why Steve was flying the equivalent of a model T Ford into Tiger country when he obviously has the resources to obtain any aircraft that he desired, please don't try to tell me how strong stable maneuverable forgiving & agile this good old plane is, I know they are a nice old aircraft to fly, the operative word being old!!!! the airframe was designed in the 1920s ( OK they now have an aluminum main spar ) and the engine that powers it was on the drawing board not long after, In 21st century terms the aircraft has the aerodynamics of a SWB Toyota Landcruser and an engine that would be more at home in a 1948 VW mmmmm cable brakes & 180hp maybe not, but I am sure you get my point.

What is going on ??? why is this rubbish still being produced ??? Cessna is still pumping out 172s 182s etc is that the best they can come up with after 60 years!!!!!, god help us!!! most of the equipment and systems found in light aircraft at most airports/fields was designed pre 1960 you would not even consider fitting any of it to your car at any price, but pilots are expected to operate this antiquated machinery in Tiger country.

Please don't get me wrong I think steve is a extraordinary aviator in my book he is right up there with the best of the best, I hope to god he is sitting under the wing right now wondering how long before the cavalry arrive, and possibly pondering on how to rectify all of the above.