Fossett - still missing after a week

The search continues for the missing record breaker

One week after his plane disappeared in the Nevada desert hopes are running low over finding Steve Fossett alive.

Since Fossett, the owner and skipper of the maxi-catamaran PlayStation/ Cheyenne, went missing while on a routine flight last Monday to seek out possible locations to make his attempt on the land speed record, no evidence has been found of him or his Super Decathlon single engined aircraft.

Over the last week the search area has widened considerably (Fossett it should be remembered holds the world's long distance gliding record) and now covers an area of 17,000 square miles, including the rugged, remote Nevada desert and some of eastern California.

While the search initiative has lost none of its momentum, it has had to tackle several red herrings in the form of at least eight plane wrecks that have previously been uncharted.

On each occasion, the most recent being a crash site 80 miles from the Hilton-owned ranch where Fossett took off and was supposed to return to, hopes have been raised only to be dashed again.

Our fingers remained crossed, but the terrain is proving a nightmare for search aircraft as much of the search area comprises barren mountain-side punctuated by deep ravines.

While many have joined in the search from air, bringing the number of aircraft at times up to th 45 mark, including planes and helicopters, it is also possible for members of the public to help by scanning the latest satellite imagery of the area via the Mechancial Turk website - click here to find out how to do this.