Fossett ‘Not Sure’ He’d Risk Attempt Again

TOWNSVILLE, Australia — American adventurer Steve Fossett said he was a little wiser as he stepped onto solid ground Thursday for the first time since his latest around-the-world ballooning attempt ended with a plunge into the sea.

“It was a sobering experience,” said the Chicago millionaire. “This is the closest I have come in my entire life to being killed.”

The crash landing--dropping 29,000 feet into the sea along with his balloon--was enough to make him think twice about new attempts, Fossett, 54, said.

“The consequences in this around-the-world ballooning are so severe. I’m not sure I should keep doing it every year, taking this risk,” Fossett said.

Fossett is one of an elite handful of adventurers who for years have been trying to beat one another to become the first to go around the world nonstop in a balloon.

Fossett’s dramatic plunge into the Coral Sea on Sunday ended the attempt that has come the closest so far. He had traveled about 15,200 miles before becoming caught in a severe storm.