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Fossett Decides to Abort Balloon Trip

Aired August 17, 2001 - 07:33   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: We want to update you on American Steve Fossett's round-the-world solo balloon flight. Bad news, just three minutes ago, we heard live from mission control that they are going to have to bring Steve Fossett's balloon down. It is simply too dangerous for him to go forward. He would have faced two to three days of a terrible storm front over the Atlantic and he simply did not have enough oxygen, not enough food or water to make the journey across the sea. According to mission control, they say that the mountain will be there tomorrow but their job is to protect the mountaineer.

No word as to whether Steve Fossett will ever try this again. Right now he's got to focus the next two to three hours to try to land this Mylar balloon somewhere in Brazil and land it safely. It's going to be a tricky operation, and, of course, we're following it live.

COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, we're going to get more on that. Jeff Flock is at the mission control center. We've been in and out talking to him all morning. We're going to check back with him shortly to hear what the latest is, possibly even, you know, hear what Steve Fossett's thinking about all of this.

LIN: Yes, it's got to be a disappointment - fifth try.

MCEDWARDS: Well, he's probably got a lot to worry about right now. He's got to get that balloon down and then he'll probably start to feel it.

LIN: Take a deep breath.

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