Somewhere near Minaret Lake in Kalifonia. There are articles on the finding-- just search steve fossett. A man thinks he's pinpointed it on Google Earth. The area is off-limits to airplanes while the investigation goes on...

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/google-earth.html

Yep, they are now reporting they found the wreckage and a piece of human remains.

I wonder what happened. Fossett was no Sunday pilot. Is there any information on his financial status or affairs? Maybe he done hisself in...

quote:

fell asleep

He took off in the afternoon. Dozing off is a possibility, but not likely. We may never know. He was out looking for areas to attempt a land speed record. I doubt you'd find land flat enough where he crashed for that.

The GPS coordinates of the probable impact area are 37d 39m 40s N x 119d 07m 48s W.

quote:

Originally posted by homebrewer:
I wonder what happened. Fossett was no Sunday pilot. Is there any information on his financial status or affairs? Maybe he done hisself in...

My Dad flew light planes for 30 years. I remember him telling me, what goes up must come down, pay attention or you might just run into a mountain, and/or shit can happen.

Dozing off in a Decathalon is hard to do. Could have been caught in a standing wave and sucked into the mountain. Could have stroked out or had a heart attack. Many possibilities...

Sure would like to have the engine on my bench-

Can only think an engine-out at the worst possible moment- the usuall case. Something in the control sys may have loused up too-

Would sure like to take a look at that mill- I'm sure it will be scrutinized very carefully.

He was the kind of guy who really stuck it out there. I gotta believe he was a victim of mech failure.

RG

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:
Dozing off in a Decathalon is hard to do. Could have been caught in a standing wave and sucked into the mountain. Could have stroked out or had a heart attack. Many possibilities...

I would be inclined to think if the engine was OK, he had a medical issue or bird strike through the windshield.

my second thought was the ole boy didn't wants pay taxes anymore and now he's laying on a beach in so america somewhere and his post box out front says john smith on it................

Body parts were found in the wreckage. I doubt he is hanging around on a beach but its a nice thought.

According to other internet stories the engine block was found "hundreds of yards" from the rest of the wreckage.

Whatever led up to it from the pictures of the wreckage he hit very hard.

As a holder of over 100 world records in fixed wing, balloon, glider etc. he was obviously an accomplished pilot.

One wonders why he wouldn't have selected a better site to put it down if he was conscious and the controls were in order.

At any rate, given a choice that is the way to leave this world - one second you are alive, flying along enjoying the scenery and the next...

Two African flying rules...

Cumalonimbus (clouds) can give you a rough ride, but cumalo granite stops things ...dead

and

Take not thine altitude in vain lest the ground rise up and smite thee

I think F224 has a point, may very well been a bird strike. Nobody is immune from something like this. The FAA given some time, will be able to piece it together. They will do this because of who the Pilot was, A well known guy like Fossett will get that. The Search for JFK jr. is a case in point, the rank and file dose not get that sort of thing.