Sudden turbulence likely caused adventurer Steve Fossett to lose control of the small plane he was piloting and crash into a mountain in California in 2007, US safety investigators said yesterday.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Fossett, 63, a skilled pilot who was killed in the crash, said the force of powerful downward bursts of air probably exceeded the climbing capabilities of the single-engine plane.
Fossett vanished after setting out alone on a pleasure flight in September 2007 from the airstrip of hotel magnate Barron Hilton's ranch in Nevada.
Despite a lengthy search, the wreckage and Fossett's remains were not discovered for more than a year in steep and heavily wooded terrain near Mammoth Lakes.
The small plane was destroyed by the impact and fire, investigators said. Parts of the aircraft were scattered over a large area of the mountain at around 10,000 feet (3,000 metres) near the Nevada border.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies