He wasn't trying any stunts and if any problems had come up he would have called for help. A person couldn't help but wonder that this guy could have been attacked by an inside man. Someone could have hid out on the plane and waited for take-off 2 jump him and take Mr. Fossett to another area and murder him. The guy would then camoflage the plane and leave the area with his henchmen if he has any.

How long can you fly in a plane like that on 4-5 hours of fuel. Did anyone check whether he refueled anywhere? Check credit card receipts? There are some dry river beds in Southern Arizona... could he be in Mexico border mountains. Some said he headed south. Is there a chance he does not want to be found? Maybe he has a relationship with a senorita somewhere? To add to the theories... this stuff is all over the news, why not him?

I heard on some news program they were looking into some leads. What does that mean in this case?

If you look at Google earth, you'll see that Area 51 is only at 125 to 200 miles of Yerington where he departed ... I believe that if he was indeed near or in that area he would be shot down instantly because they have the right to do it since it is a "secret" base ... I believe that my hypothesis is possible but unfortunately, if im right, we will probably never know it and the authorities will do a cover-up... That's the way things work in America! They lie whenever they want on patriotism back because they know the majority of the people won't question it because they have to work hard to live with dignity...

These conspiracy theories astound me.

Only the foolish thrive on ludicrous assumptions.

Let the facts be determined, and in the meantime, shut the f*** up.

Uum, no I say Aliens abducted him...

How on earth can people actually believe this type of wild speculations to be truthful or in any way interesting to people reading the article?

Aliens,consiracy, and U.F.O's aside, if he did get lost and wonder into the airforces' top secret test area, they could indeed shoot him down and we will not know because we simply dont need to as they see it. it is not conspiracy it is fact it is a test site they keep secret so the enemy cant counter our deffenses, go ahead and try to get on that base if you dont believe me, you wont be blog'n' no more!

I assume the plane was equiped with an ELT, but they are often unuseable due to being landed in the dirt, or perhaps water. Today I read he had a Breitling ELT watch, since neither seems to transmiting a beacon this does not bode well for his safe return.

I hope he is, some how OK.

Can anyone tell me why Steve was flying the equivalent of a model T Ford into Tiger country when he obviously has the resources to obtain any aircraft that he desired, please don't try to tell me how strong stable maneuverable forgiving & agile this good old plane is, I know they are a nice old aircraft to fly, the operative word being old!!!! the airframe was designed in the 1920s ( OK they now have an aluminum main spar ) and the engine that powers it was on the drawing board not long after, In 21st century terms the aircraft has the aerodynamics of a SWB Toyota Landcruser and an engine that would be more at home in a 1948 VW mmmmm cable brakes & 180hp maybe not, but I am sure you get my point.

What is going on ??? why is this rubbish still being produced ??? Cessna is still pumping out 172s 182s etc is that the best they can come up with after 60 years!!!!!, god help us!!! most of the equipment and systems found in light aircraft at most airports/fields was designed pre 1960 you would not even consider fitting any of it to your car at any price, but pilots are expected to operate this antiquated machinery in Tiger country.

Please don't get me wrong I think steve is a extraordinary aviator in my book he is right up there with the best of the best, I hope to god he is sitting under the wing right now wondering how long before the cavalry arrive, and possibly pondering on how to rectify all of the above.

Sorry to blow it for you Mike, but you could not hide a ham sandwich inside steves aircraft never mind a man, it is a very small aircraft.

Owen Sullivan - your comment about not being able to hide a 'ham sandwich' in the plane is incorrect. He had two weeks worth of emergency food supplies in the plane. In my mind that would be more than a ham sandwich? Oh, you were joking I hear you say? Fair enough.