| US pilot Steve Fossett was forced to make a dramatic emergency landing shortly after passing over Newbury on his way to Manston in Kent, late yesterday afternoon.
The 61 year old pilot had flown over 26,000 miles to set a new world record. He smashed the previous record of 25,361 miles set by the Breittling Orbiter Balloon in 1999.
The generator of his plane failed and he was forced to declare an emergency. He was diverted to Bournemouth International Airport where he landed safely (albeit with 2 burst tyres) just after 5.30pm.
Just a few years back in similar circumstances, Steve would have been able to take advantage of Europes longest runway, which in those days was at RAF Greenham Common. | 
