28 North American XB-70 Valkyrie
On 8 June 1966, AV-2 was in close formation with four other aircraft (McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II, Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter and T-38 Talon, and Lockheed F-104 Starfighter) for a photoshoot at the behest of General Electric, manufacturer of the engines of all five aircraft. After the photoshoot, the F-104 drifted into the XB-70’s right wingtip, flipped and rolled inverted over the top of the Valkyrie before striking the bomber’s vertical stabilizers and left wing. Despite the damage, the Valkyrie flew normally for 16 seconds before it entered an uncontrollable spin and crashed north of Barstow, California. NASA Chief Test Pilot Joe Walker (F-104 pilot) and Carl Cross (XB-70 co-pilot) were killed. Al White (XB-70 pilot) ejected, sustaining serious injuries. An investigation revealed that Walker was unable to properly perceive his position relative to the Valkyrie, leading to his aircraft drifting into the Valkyrie’s wing.
28 North American XB-70 Valkyrie
On 8 June 1966, AV-2 was in close formation with four other aircraft (McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II, Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter and T-38 Talon, and Lockheed F-104 Starfighter) for a photoshoot at the behest of General Electric, manufacturer of the engines of all five aircraft. After the photoshoot, the F-104 drifted into the XB-70’s right wingtip, flipped and rolled inverted over the top of the Valkyrie before striking the bomber’s vertical stabilizers and left wing. Despite the damage, the Valkyrie flew normally for 16 seconds before it entered an uncontrollable spin and crashed north of Barstow, California. NASA Chief Test Pilot Joe Walker (F-104 pilot) and Carl Cross (XB-70 co-pilot) were killed. Al White (XB-70 pilot) ejected, sustaining serious injuries. An investigation revealed that Walker was unable to properly perceive his position relative to the Valkyrie, leading to his aircraft drifting into the Valkyrie’s wing.