Latest blow for Fossett search crews

Updated 10.43 Mon Sep 10 2007

Keywords: pilot, missing, Nevada Desert, Steve Fossett

Search and rescue teams in the Nevada desert have been dealt another blow in the search for missing millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett.

The latest finding, of which details were not given, was located around 80 miles from the private ranch where Fossett took off from one week ago.

"Once again, you had your hopes raised and dashed, just as we have" - Major Cynthia Ryan of the Nevada Civil Air Patrol

Major Cynthia Ryan of the Nevada Civil Air Patrol said: "Once again, you had your hopes raised and dashed, just as we have."

The chances of finding the experienced 63-year-old pilot alive in the rugged landscape which spans 17,000 square miles are becoming more and more slim.

On Saturday, Jim Gibbons, the Governor of Nevada, said: "There's some pretty rough terrain, and this is one small airplane in a big area.

"We first have to find the haystack and then we have to find the needle in the haystack."

At least six times during the search, rescue crews have spotted aeroplane wreckage they thought might be his, only to learn it was from crashes years and sometimes decades ago.

News of these has prompted inquiries from people wondering if the pilots or passengers may be their long-lost family members.