Steve Fosset -- Breaks record, but loses generator &declares an Emergency

BBC report
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4704762.stm

"Jay Somerset " wrote in message
...
Landed at Bournemouth instead of Kent. Lost electrical power, and from
the
first short report, apparently picked up ice on final descent.

From the http://www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com website...

Congratulations to Steve Fossett, who has broken the world record for the
longest ever flight in history and made a dramatic landing through the
sunset - at Bournemouth Airport.

He travelled 26,389.3 miles and had a flight duration of 76 hours 45
minutes.

Just miles from his destination at Kent International Airport, Steve's
generator failed, which meant a total electrical breakdown.

He was forced to make an emergency Mayday call through to Bournemouth
Airport, and was given a short window through which to land.

Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic, Steve Ridgeway said: "If we didn't get
him down in fifteen minutes, he would have had to have ditched the plane."

The major problem occurred just after Richard had called Steve to
congratulate him on his world record, which he actually broke when be flew
over Shannon after covering the 26,000 miles required.

On landing, Steve burst two tyres, and his windscreen was iced up so much
that he couldn't see even metres in front of him. Not only all that, but
he
had only 200lbs of fuel left; which if he had continued may well have
turned
into another emergency!

Sir Richard and Steve's wife Peggy are with him at Bournemouth. After
health
checks a very tired Steve will make the journey to Kent International
Airport to celebrate his amazing adventure.