February 12 2006
Steve Fossett in his Virgin Atlantic sponsored Burt Rutan designed GlobalFlyer sets another record for the longest distance flown by an aircraft non-stop and on one tank of gas - and he did it solo
 
On approach to his flight planned destination in Kent England after departing the Kennedy Space centre three days earlier Steve had a electrical power generating light come on causing a "May-Day" situation as visibility was poor and loss of complete electrical power would be disastrous - battery power lasts for only about 20 minutes max

 
UK authorities diverted the GlobalFlyer to Bournemouth on England's south coast where it landed safely - both main tyres blew out as Steve tried to bring the record breaking machine to a stop on the less than ideal airstrip length - noted by the News Desk was the non-deployment of braking drogue chutes as used in previous landings
 
For report back in March 2005 click HERE
 
Image Log at the 60 hour point shows Steve at 51,724 feet cruising at 294 kts ground speed