Steve Fossett Plane Crash

The NTSB released details of the probable cause of Steve Fossett’s fatal crash that occurred back in September of 2007 near Mammoth Lakes, CA. The aircraft, a Bellanca 8KCAB-180 piloted by Steve Fossett, inadvertently encountered descending air that exceeded the climb capabilities of the aircraft. The airplane was primarily flying over mountains, at a high density [...] Read Full Story

Strong downdraughts were the likely cause of the plane crash which killed adventure Steve Fossett, say US officials. Read Full Story

Federal safety officials say downdrafts probably caused the plane crash that killed entrepreneur Steve Fossett nearly two years ago. The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday that Fossett's plane struck mountainous terrain near Mammoth Lakes, Calif., following an encounter with downdrafts. Officials say the downdrafts exceeded the ability of his Bellanca 8KCAB-180 to recover through climbing. Fossett disappeared in September 2007 after taking off from a Nevada ranch owned by hotel magnate Barron Hilton for what was supposed to be a short pleasure flight. Fossett gained worldwide fame for setting records in high-tech balloons, gliders, jets and boats. He was the first person to ... Read Full Story

Nearly two years after the disappearance of adventurer Steve Fossett, investigators on Thursday determined that strong winds probably downed his plane. Read Full Story

Strong wind and turbulence likely caused the millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett to lose control of his plane and plummet to his death, US federal safety investigators said Thursday. Fossett, who set more than 100 records during a thrill-seeking career, disappeared in September 2007, after taking off on a solo flight from a private airstrip at a Nevada ranch. His single-engine, two-seater plane crashed near Mammoth Lakes, California "following an inadvertent encounter with downdrafts that exceeded the climb capability of the airplane," the National Transportation Safety Board said. In addition to the downdrafts, which are air pockets that can pull a plane suddenly downward, causing ... Read Full Story