Fossett search uncovers old crash sites

RENO, Nev., Sept. 16 (UPI) -- The extensive search for famed adventurer Steve Fossett in Nevada has proven fruitless, except for the discovery of several unrelated and aged crash sites.

The Reno (Nev.) Gazette-Journal said Sunday that while searchers have been unable to find any sign of Fossett's plane thus far, they have located a number of previously unreported crash sites in Nevada.

Fossett has been missing since he took off in his Bellanca Citabria Super Decathlon Sept. 3 and headed off above the Nevada desert.

The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center has been heading up the effort to locate Fossett and while the newly discovered crash sites are of interest, the focus will remain on Fossett.

Keith Holloway, the National Transportation Safety Board's chief of public affairs, said an initial assessment of those additional sites would soon occur and a in-depth investigation may occur once the Fossett search ends.

"Whether or not we open investigations on those (six) aircraft depends on what is found at the site, what we have on those cases and whether we need further data," " Holloway told the newspaper.