My late grandfather, Victor Horton, was a NASA engineer and test pilot at Edwards AFB in those days. He knew the men in the crash personally and was involved in the search and recovery efforts afterwards. According to my mother, for years afterward, he used to occasionally take them on outings near the crash sites, supposedly hunting for arrowheads, but he was actually looking for more crash debris in case something important was missed the first time around. He used to do the same thing around where Michael Adams had his fatal crash in the #3 X-15, near Johannesburg, California (turns out on that one, Grandpa was right in thinking there was more to be found; several years ago, some hikers in the area found one of the plane's wingtip reaction control thrusters, right where it had landed in 1967).
Did it ever get a chance to reach Mach 3? I really liked the lead that the United States Air Force was taking at this time. Major course change came about right after this?!
XB 70 top speed reached: 2,056 MPH. The speed of sound varies with atmospheric conditions. but I don't think it ever reached mach 3. F104 top speed: 2.2 mach.
I have never heard a real answer on this crash. There is no way this large group of the highest level pilots allowed something like this to happen!!!!?!!!
Sure it's possible. Simple answer: airflow disruption to the 104 caused by an arrogant pilot, i.e., the 104 pilot got too close. Any 20 hour student pilot knows the dangers of wingtip vortices.
It wasn't exactly "allowed to happen." It was an unauthorized photo op for a bunch of GE guys following in a private jet, and a lot of people lost their jobs for it. The guy who ran into the XB-70 was one of the ones who said it was a dumb idea. They flew super close with five planes and took pictures for almost an hour, and the crash didn't happen until they were done and leaving formation. The F-104 pilot could only see the front of the XB-70. He couldn't see the wing that he hit, and he probably forgot the XB-70 had its wingtips angled down. I'm sure that had something to do with the way he got sucked into it and ripped both tails off.
@@user-bx7nw1ve6y I wouldn't call the pilot arrogant. As stated in the story, he was the only plane that did not a B-58 jet approaching the formation in the opposite direction. He was so busy trying to sight the approaching plane that he didn't notice his plane drifting to the left which struck the rear of XB-70.
My late grandfather, Victor Horton, was a NASA engineer and test pilot at Edwards AFB in those days. He knew the men in the crash personally and was involved in the search and recovery efforts afterwards. According to my mother, for years afterward, he used to occasionally take them on outings near the crash sites, supposedly hunting for arrowheads, but he was actually looking for more crash debris in case something important was missed the first time around. He used to do the same thing around where Michael Adams had his fatal crash in the #3 X-15, near Johannesburg, California (turns out on that one, Grandpa was right in thinking there was more to be found; several years ago, some hikers in the area found one of the plane's wingtip reaction control thrusters, right where it had landed in 1967).
I AM IMPRESSED BY THE RESPECT SHOWN THESE SITES BY THESE YOUNG PEOPLE
Much respect for the crews and their families, both the ones killed and the others that were in the photos that day.
My son ( a new rider) and I enjoy your videos. Good job.
I wish the XB-70 and the F-104 were still in service. I am sad that the crash happened. Respect.
Wow - thanks for this!
Fantastic. You is the best. Thanks for images.
Hope they all 🙏RIP
@ 0:47 what is that left of trail ?
Dead "tree" - think it was a Joshua tree
Why was the F-104 so close? Was the plane on his right crowding him. He was a head guy, if not the Head guy!
Did it ever get a chance to reach Mach 3? I really liked the lead that the United States Air Force was taking at this time. Major course change came about right after this?!
XB 70 top speed reached: 2,056 MPH. The speed of sound varies with atmospheric conditions. but I don't think it ever reached mach 3. F104 top speed: 2.2 mach.
@@user-bx7nw1ve6y yes it did his AND cruised at M 3.0
The only time I am aware of where a photograph caused an experiential plane to crash!
Didn't!
I have never heard a real answer on this crash. There is no way this large group of the highest level pilots allowed something like this to happen!!!!?!!!
The F-104 got sucked into the wing vortex of the XB-70 and crashed into it.
Sure it's possible. Simple answer: airflow disruption to the 104 caused by an arrogant pilot, i.e., the 104 pilot got too close. Any 20 hour student pilot knows the dangers of wingtip vortices.
It wasn't exactly "allowed to happen." It was an unauthorized photo op for a bunch of GE guys following in a private jet, and a lot of people lost their jobs for it. The guy who ran into the XB-70 was one of the ones who said it was a dumb idea. They flew super close with five planes and took pictures for almost an hour, and the crash didn't happen until they were done and leaving formation. The F-104 pilot could only see the front of the XB-70. He couldn't see the wing that he hit, and he probably forgot the XB-70 had its wingtips angled down. I'm sure that had something to do with the way he got sucked into it and ripped both tails off.
@@user-bx7nw1ve6y I wouldn't call the pilot arrogant. As stated in the story, he was the only plane that did not a B-58 jet approaching the formation in the opposite direction. He was so busy trying to sight the approaching plane that he didn't notice his plane drifting to the left which struck the rear of XB-70.