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Fossett ends balloon quest early
Fossett flies over Eastern Europe Faulty heaters, slow winds hamper round-the-world trip
January 5, 1998
Web posted at: 5:43 a.m. EST (1043 GMT)ST. LOUIS (CNN) -- Hampered by faulty heaters and slow winds, millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett on Monday cut short his quest to be the first person to pilot a balloon around the world nonstop.
As of 4:30 a.m. CST (1030 GMT), Fossett was traveling at an altitude of 10,000 feet (3300 meters), and looking for an open, flat area to make his landing in an area about 60 miles (96 km) west of Krasnodar, Russia, just northeast of the Black Sea.
"We are expecting Steve to land soon," mission control director Alan Blount said at a morning news conference at Fossett's St. Louis headquarters.
"I would like to thank the Russian authorities for the cooperativeness and help they've given us," he added.
On Sunday, Blount said Fossett had encountered numerous equipment problems and would most likely have to land early.
Blount said Fossett's problems were twofold:
Fossett speaks with air traffic controllers in Romania Sunday 
249K/22 sec. AIFF or WAV sound
- A burner and heaters in the passenger cabin beneath his balloon were malfunctioning. At an altitude of 23,000 feet (6970 meters), without the heater, "Steve is very cold," Blount said. Also, the malfunctions left Fossett with diminished control over his aircraft, which is partially maneuvered using hot air.
- Slow winds -- "the slowest on the globe," complained Blount -- stymied the balloon's progress to a speed of 26 mph hour (42 kph) on its path over Turkey.
Fossett's troubles come two days before another balloon, piloted by Dick Rutan and Dave Melton, is scheduled to be launched from Albuquerque, New Mexico, in pursuit of the first around-the-world flight.
Anheuser-Busch Company, an American brewer, has offered $500,000 to the first balloon team that makes it around the world before December 31, 1999. The company will donate another $500,000 to the charity of the winning team's choice.
Related stories:
- Fossett's balloon quest in jeopardy - Janaury 4, 1998
- Libya to allow Fossett flyover - January 3, 1998
- Libya denies U.S. balloonist permission - January 3, 1998
- Once again, Fossett awaits Libya's permission - January 2, 1998
- Fossett's flight 'picture-perfect so far' - January 1, 1998
Related sites:
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- Budweiser Cup to Salute the 1st Successful Around the World Balloon Flight
- PBS's Nova Online Adventure: Global Contenders 97/98
- Steve Fossett's SoloSpirit
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