Fossett searchers 'see wreckage'

MAMMOTH LAKES, California // Search teams combing a rugged part of eastern California for any sign of Steve Fossett, the adventurer who vanished on a solo flight more than a year ago, have spotted what appeared to be wreckage, authorities said.

Erica Stuart, spokeswoman for the Madera County Sheriff's Office, would not reveal the exact location of the reported aerial sighting, which she said was called in around sunset yesterday.

Searchers had been combing a 16km radius around the spot where a hiker had found what appeared to be a pilot's license and other items belonging to Mr Fossett earlier in the week. A ground team was en route to the site last night, authorities will be able to confirm there is actual wreckage and whether it belonged to Mr Fossett today, Ms Stuart said. Authorities, also urged caution and said that hundreds of planes have gone down in the mountainous region, so any wreckage found could belong to other cases.