SCOTT CROSSFIELD'S X-15 EMERGENCY

A brief clip from the Discovery Channel series "Rocket Science". Scott Crossfield, the first man to fly Mach 2, describes a typical day at work during his test pilot days. (Full series available at www.foolishearthling.com)

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Space
• Heroes
• aviation
• disaster
• X-plane
• firefighter
• escape
• rescue
• Mach
• Navy
• rocket
• Edwards
• pilot
• explosion
• Foolish
• Earthling
• hero
• adventure
• accident
• Emergency
• Mach Number
• Fire
• Flying
• Air
• Airplane
• Jet
• Crash
• Aircraft

[kristov29]

Remarkable. I've seen that explosion sequence before in the very forgettable 1960's movie X-15 with Charles Bronson and Mary Tyler Moore.

[sciencehighway]

Oddly enough, I remember that very forgettable movie too, though this footage had far greater impact on me

when I saw it a few years later in its proper context. I also recall that when we first assembled this sequence, some folks at the network were somewhat concerned that we hadn't adequately telegraphed or otherwise set up what was coming - which was, of course, the point.

[sciencehighway]

Thanks for commenting. Scott Crossfield was a lifelong hero of mine, and one of the key inspirations for the Discovery Channel series this clip hails from. He was incredibly kind and generous to us throughout the project, and the two-hour interview he granted remains a highlight of my life.

Michael Lennick / Foolish Earthling Productions

[fernfeyes]

@Zoomer30 One more thing..the other guys walked into the blockhouse..and Mr. Crossfield sitting on a bomb!

[dannie2061]

Thankyou Mr. Crossfield, for your service to the United States !

[spanodancer]

I'm related to him (:

[paledin3]

admired him for many years. use to go to every lecture. he always gave credit to yeager/hoover as 'the best sticks', he took pride in his ability to 'test fly and design' an airplane. when he got back on the ground he not only told them what was wrong, but what they needed to do to correct the problems. the x -15 was his baby. look at what happened to all the other x planes. few were ever brought to completion or provided much flight data. not so with the x15. more rocket flights than all combin

[megashegem]

I have this taped on vhs it was then on the discovery channel called The Rocket Pilots.

[HuasoPodrido]

balls, pure steel balls.

[1MtnBoy]

I have watched in several programs over many years about airplanes and the space program and I have always admired Scott Crossfield and Bill Knight's X-15 achievements !!

[kolbpilot]

Crossfield is a handsome guy, there at 3:44. I guess we all are when young. It's interesting reading Yeagers opinion of Scotty in his book, probably somewhat biased. He appears to be a straight forward guy. It was sad & ironic that he was taken out by a plane crash he was piloting. But on the other hand, it was a fitting way to go. We should all live so long.

[Zoomer30]

And the issues was not even with the engine, it was some sort of pressure system issue with the LOX tank, it got over pressed and just went boom

[Zoomer30]

One thing to note:

1. Plane gone

2. Engine still in one piece in the stand.