Fossett search called off

Authorities have stopped searching for missing US adventurer Steve Fossett.

In the most extensive search ever mounted in the western US state of Nevada, air crews have found no sign of Fossett, the first person to pilot a balloon solo around the world in 2002.

Mr Fossett took off alone in a single-engine air plane on September 3 from a private air strip in Nevada.

Spokesman Chuck Allen of the Nevada Department of Public Safety said the search is being scaled back.

But he said the authorities are hopeful Fossett may be alive.

Air crews are on standby to fly to possible crash sites, a spokesman for Nevada's public safety department said.

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