New search for missingn Fossett

The search for missing American adventurer Steve Fossett has been stepped up after radar and satellite images revealed possible clues to his whereabouts.

Dozens of searchers set off into the rugged Nevada backcountry this weekend.

Fossett, the first person to circle the globe solo in a balloon, has been missing since his plane went down 27 days ago. The formal air search by the Civil Air Patrol and Nevada National Guard helicopters ended on September 19 after pilots spent more than two weeks scouring the area.

A new Air Force analysis of radar and satellite images led to this weekend’s ground search.

Volunteers on the ground also planned to search during the day today, said Gary Derks, the state Department of Public Safety official in charge of the search.

“We have about 50 people on ATVs, horseback, walking – anything they can find to get them into the canyon,” Derks said.

“If he’s there, he’s going to be hard to see. That’s why we’re sending in the ground search-and-rescue crews, too,” Derks added.

The search area was southeast of the ranch from where Fossett had taken off, Derks said.

“It doesn’t make any difference to anybody who finds Mr Fossett. This is not a race to find him. Whoever finds him will help all of us,” Derks said.

A private search by Fossett’s family and friends continued last week.

Fossett, 63, has also swum the English Channel, completed the Iditarod sled-dog race and scaled some of the world’s best-known peaks.