US adventurer Steve Fossett missing

Reno, Nevada, Sept 5: Adventurer Steve Fossett, who made record-breaking solo flights around the world by plane and balloon, is missing after taking off in a small plane, aviation authorities said today.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Fossett, 63, was reported missing last night after being last seen taking off from a ranch in Nevada in a single engine Citabria aircraft.

His US office declined to comment. The Record-Courier newspaper in Nevada reported on its Web site that three air crews were looking for Fossett's small blue-and-white plane.

CNN quoted a local pilot as saying Fossett, who had no parachute, had 4-5 hours of fuel.

The FAA said Fossett did not file a flight plan, nor was one required. It said Fossett had not been in communication with air traffic controllers and there was no distress signal received.

Fossett is best known for being the first person to fly solo around the world by balloon in 2002 and then by airplane in 2005. He has set 115 world records in balloons, airplanes, sailboats, gliders and airships.

Reuters>