Did Air Ace Fossett Fake His Death?

Questions surround disappearance

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 28, 2008 3:05 AM CDT

(Newser) – Air adventurer Steve Fossett may have faked his own death, reports the tabloid News of the World. No wreckage was ever found after Fossett disappeared last year in a light plane over the Nevada desert. Fossett didn't bother to wear his GPS watch—and he may have had strong motives to disappear, including getting out from under shaky investments and possible marital troubles.

"Fossett should have been found," said an aviation expert. "Think about all the things that were atypical. He goes off without his fancy watch, he leaves it at home. And he goes out without his emergency kit, which he supposedly never, ever did."

GlobalFlyer pilot Steve Fossett waves to the crowd at the Salina Municipal Airport in Salina, Kansas. (AP Photo/Salina Journal, Ryan Soderlin)

Pilot Steve Fossett disappeared over the Nevada desert while scouting sites for a land speed record attempt. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Map shows extent of search for pilot Steve Fossett and locations of known plane crash sites since 1964. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

RIP, Steve Fossett

Daredevil declared dead five months after disappearance

(NEWSER) - He vanished on a routine flight five months ago, and now daredevil Steve Fossett has been declared dead at the age of 63, the AP reports. The famous world record breaker was last seen flying a small plane over western Nevada where 15-20 private planes have disappeared since 1950. The first man to circle the world solo in a hot air balloon, Fossett aspired to "be the best in everything." More»

Branson Wants Google Earth in Fossett Search

Satellite images could hold clues to aviator's disappearance

(NEWSER) - Richard Branson said today he hopes to use Google Earth in the search for missing aviator Steve Fossett, whose small plane disappeared Monday over Nevada. The British billionaire and flying enthusiast wants to see if Google's satellite photos show where Fossett might have been heading, Reuters reports, and whether there were atmospheric disturbances that might have forced him down. More»

Fossett Search Is on Again

Missing adventurer declared dead in February

(NEWSER) - Ten months after Steve Fossett disappeared, a new search for the adventurer's body began yesterday under the guidance of a Canadian geologist and adventure racer who is scouring the Sweetwater Mountains on the Nevada-California border with a team of 10, reports the Reno Gazette-Journal. A competing search party has narrowed possible crash sites to about 150 using satellite imagery. More»

Declare Fossett Dead, Wife Asks Court

Move would help settle vast estate of missing aviator

(NEWSER) - The wife of Steve Fossett, who went missing in September while flying his plane over the rugged terrain of northwest Nevada, asked an Illinois court yesterday to declare him legally dead, the AP reports. If granted, the request would allow the vast estate of the millionaire adventurer to be settled, said an attorney for Peggy Fossett. More»

Search for Fossett Will Resume

New analysis reveals what could be missing aviator's track

(NEWSER) - Air Force experts analyzing satellite images say they've found what may be signs of adventurer Steve Fossett's track in the rugged terrain near Death Valley in Nevada. This weekend planes and ground crews will comb an area stretching 100 miles southeast of the airstrip Fossett took off from Sept. 3, reports the AP. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Did Air Ace Fossett Fake His Death?

Questions surround disappearance

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Richard Branson • aviation • pilot • Steve Fossett • Nevada Civil Air Patrol • Virgin Group • California Highway Patrol • Lloyds of London • Bellanca Citabria Super Decathlon

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

RIP, Steve Fossett

Daredevil declared dead five months after disappearance

Branson Wants Google Earth in Fossett Search

Satellite images could hold clues to aviator's disappearance

Fossett Search Is on Again

Missing adventurer declared dead in February

Declare Fossett Dead, Wife Asks Court

Move would help settle vast estate of missing aviator

Search for Fossett Will Resume

New analysis reveals what could be missing aviator's track

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Did Air Ace Fossett Fake His Death?

Questions surround disappearance

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Richard Branson • aviation • pilot • Steve Fossett • Nevada Civil Air Patrol • Virgin Group • California Highway Patrol • Lloyds of London • Bellanca Citabria Super Decathlon

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

RIP, Steve Fossett

Daredevil declared dead five months after disappearance

Branson Wants Google Earth in Fossett Search

Satellite images could hold clues to aviator's disappearance

Fossett Search Is on Again

Missing adventurer declared dead in February

Declare Fossett Dead, Wife Asks Court

Move would help settle vast estate of missing aviator

Search for Fossett Will Resume

New analysis reveals what could be missing aviator's track

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?