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No Signals Mean Fossett Likely Dead: Experts

Millionaire aviator missing 10 days in Nevada desert

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 12, 2007 12:35 PM CDT
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(Newser) – As the search for Steve Fossett entered its 10th day, experts told the Telegraph the millionaire adventurer’s chances of survival were slim. Fossett hasn’t been seen or heard from since he left a Nevada airstrip Sept. 3, and authorities haven’t received signals from his plane or watch. Searchers would be “lucky to find him alive,” one wilderness expert said.

One civil air patrol official said Fossett’s “sheer grit and determination” would save him, adding perhaps broken arms prevented him from signaling. Officials believe the record-breaking aviator carried only one bottle of water with him while flying through Nevada, the driest state in the US. “No food, that’s not a problem. No water, that’s a problem,” said the expert.

Pilot Steve Fossett, talks to VIP guests while his wife Peggy looks on after his record setting attempt was delayed by high crosswinds at the Salina Municipal Airport in Salina, Kan. in this Feb. 28, 2005 file photo. A small plane carrying the aviation adventurer has been missing since Monday...
Pilot Steve Fossett, talks to VIP guests while his wife Peggy looks on after his record setting attempt was delayed by high crosswinds at the Salina Municipal Airport in Salina, Kan. in this Feb. 28,...   (Associated Press)
Map shows the area in which rescue teams are searching for missing aviator Steve Fossett; 1c x 3 1/8 inches; 46.5 mm x 79.4 mm
Map shows the area in which rescue teams are searching for missing aviator Steve Fossett; 1c x 3 1/8 inches; 46.5 mm x 79.4 mm   (Associated Press)
Viewed through a GlobalFlyer cockpit window, Steve Fossett is congratulated by members of his flight crew at the Salina Municipal Airport in this March 17, 2006 file photo in Salina, Kan. A small plane carrying aviation adventurer Steve Fossett has been missing since Monday night, federal officials said Tuesday, Sept....
Viewed through a GlobalFlyer cockpit window, Steve Fossett is congratulated by members of his flight crew at the Salina Municipal Airport in this March 17, 2006 file photo in Salina, Kan. A small plane...   (Associated Press)
Elevation map shows extent of search for pilot Steve Fossett and locations of known plane crash sites since 1964; 2c x 5 inches; 96.3 mm x 127 mm
Elevation map shows extent of search for pilot Steve Fossett and locations of known plane crash sites since 1964; 2c x 5 inches; 96.3 mm x 127 mm   (Associated Press)
American adventurer Steve Fossett arrives at Kent International Airport, Manston, Kent, England. in this Feb. 11, 2006, photo. Nearly a week after the record-setting aviator disappeared, search leaders said Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007 they were still sure they would find him but acknowledged that combing thousands of square miles has...
American adventurer Steve Fossett arrives at Kent International Airport, Manston, Kent, England. in this Feb. 11, 2006, photo. Nearly a week after the record-setting aviator disappeared, search leaders...   (Associated Press)
Lyon County Undersheriff Joe Sanford, listens to a reporter's question concerning missing adventurer Steve Fossett during a news briefing held at the Minden-Tahoe Airport in Minden, Nev., Friday, Sept. 7, 2007. Pilots took off into clear skies Friday for a fifth day of searching Nevada's rugged high desert for any...
Lyon County Undersheriff Joe Sanford, listens to a reporter's question concerning missing adventurer Steve Fossett during a news briefing held at the Minden-Tahoe Airport in Minden, Nev., Friday, Sept....   (Associated Press)
An Nevada Air National Guard helicopter comes in for a landing as members of the Civil Air Patrol prepare a plane for take-off to continue the search for missing adventurer Steve Fossett, at the Minden-Tahoe Airport in Minden, Nev., Friday, Sept. 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
An Nevada Air National Guard helicopter comes in for a landing as members of the Civil Air Patrol prepare a plane for take-off to continue the search for missing adventurer Steve Fossett, at the Minden-Tahoe...   (Associated Press)
Steve Fossett, right, is kissed by Richard Branson after landing safely after declaring an emergency following a loss of electrical power at Bournemouth, England, in this Feb 11, 2006, file photo. A small plane carrying Fossett has been missing since Monday night, federal officials said Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007. Fossett,...
Steve Fossett, right, is kissed by Richard Branson after landing safely after declaring an emergency following a loss of electrical power at Bournemouth, England, in this Feb 11, 2006, file photo. A small...   (Associated Press)
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