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Fossett Search Drastically Reduced

More than 2 weeks after aviator vanished, tips are drying up

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 18, 2007 1:55 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Searchers are dramatically scaling back efforts to find missing adventurer Steve Fossett as the rescue mission enters its third week and tips dry up. At one point, 45 aircraft plied the skies looking for wreckage, but the Nevada Civil Air Patrol is suspending its efforts, limiting searchers to five National Guard helicopters and two CAP planes on standby, the AP reports.

"It's against our nature to walk away from a search," said an air patrol major. "But at some point you have diminishing returns." Volunteer pilots have made 245 flights since Fossett went missing on Labor Day, covering 98% of the 20,000 square mile search area—more than twice the size of New Jersey.

Members of the Civil Air Patrol prepare to take-off to continue the search for missing millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett, at the Minden-Tahoe Airport in Minden, Nev on Friday, Sept. 7, 2007. A squadron of about 10 airplanes and helicopters has been making repeated passes over a search area marked by...
Members of the Civil Air Patrol prepare to take-off to continue the search for missing millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett, at the Minden-Tahoe Airport in Minden, Nev on Friday, Sept. 7, 2007. A squadron...   (Associated Press)
A shadow from John Morgan's plane falls on the runway at the Minden, Nev. airport on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007 in Minden, Nev. Morgan is one of many searching the area for missing aviator Steve Fossett.
A shadow from John Morgan's plane falls on the runway at the Minden, Nev. airport on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007 in Minden, Nev. Morgan is one of many searching the area for missing aviator Steve Fossett.   (Associated Press)
Extent of search for pilot Steve Fossett and locations of known plane crash sites since 1964.
Extent of search for pilot Steve Fossett and locations of known plane crash sites since 1964.   (Associated Press)
American adventurer Steve Fossett arrives at Kent International Airport, Manston, Kent, England. in this Feb. 11, 2006, photo. Fossett's wife has praised the work of government and private searchers for her husband's downed plane, though officials have expressed concern about non-professionals combing the remote area. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, file)
American adventurer Steve Fossett arrives at Kent International Airport, Manston, Kent, England. in this Feb. 11, 2006, photo. Fossett's wife has praised the work of government and private searchers for...   (Associated Press)
Adventurer Steve Fossett, right, talks to Barron Hilton, left, as he waits at the Salina Municipal Airport in Salina, Kan. to make a record-setting flight in the GlobalFlyer, Feb. 26, 2005. Government officials continued to gingerly welcome the unprecedented private search effort for missing aviator Steve Fossett on Monday, Sept....
Adventurer Steve Fossett, right, talks to Barron Hilton, left, as he waits at the Salina Municipal Airport in Salina, Kan. to make a record-setting flight in the GlobalFlyer, Feb. 26, 2005. Government...   (Associated Press)
The western slopes of the Wasuk Mountain Range near Yerinton, Nev. are seen in this Thursday, Sept. 6, 2007 file photo. This week's news reports about missing aviator Steve Fossett have been filled with references to the barren and empty landscape he was flying over when his plane disappeared. (AP...
The western slopes of the Wasuk Mountain Range near Yerinton, Nev. are seen in this Thursday, Sept. 6, 2007 file photo. This week's news reports about missing aviator Steve Fossett have been filled with...   (Associated Press)
A road is seen running through Lucky Boy Pass near Hawthorne, Nev,. Despite a massive search effort, the other-worldly terrain of northwest Nevada has bedeviled the crews that have been hunting around the clock for adventurer Steve Fossett, who disappeared in a small plane. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
A road is seen running through Lucky Boy Pass near Hawthorne, Nev,. Despite a massive search effort, the other-worldly terrain of northwest Nevada has bedeviled the crews that have been hunting around...   (Associated Press)
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COMMENTS
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Searchers 'feel like they've done everything they can'
AFP

Phone and internet tips are drying up
Nevada Appeal (Carson City)

Commentary: Fossett should have told someone where he was going
Nevada Appeal (Carson City)

Fossett's website chronicles search efforts
SteveFossett.com

Friends and family are still making multiple search flights a day
Reno Gazette-Journal

 
National Guard • disappearance • aviation • rescue • pilot • Nevada • Steve Fossett • search • aviator

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