David Bigelow-Fatal Altitude Record Flight to 38,700 feet

On Friday, January 16th, 2009 , Dave's sailplane crashed near the 10,000 level of Mauna Loa, Hawaii. He was trying to reach an altitude of 40,000 feet. He was last heard from at 28,000 feet . He had 2 oxygen systems installed: A low- altitude system designed for altitudes up to 30,000 feet and an A-14 military oxygen system designed for higher altitudes. The cause of this accident is still unknown and is being investigated by the NTSB. Flight-Recorder data recently recovered from the investigation reveals that Dave reached a maximum altitude of 38,700 on this final flight.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• glider
• sailplane
• aviation
• soaring
• plane
• glide
• crash
• accident
• hawaii
• maunaloa
• aviator
• mountain
• wave
• record
• altitude
• high
• awesome
• brave
• aloha
• continental
• dg400

[upcountry12345]

He was trying to reach an altitude of 40,000 feet. He was last heard from at 28,000 feet . He had 2 oxygen systems installed: A low- altitude system designed for altitudes up to 30,000 feet and an A-14 military oxygen system designed for higher altitudes. The cause of this accident is still unknown and is being investigated by the NTSB. Flight-Recorder data recently recovered from the investigation reveals that Dave reached a maximum altitude of 38,700 on this final flight.

[gedgar2000]

That is tragic, but he died doing what he loved, and not lying in a nursing home with Alzheimers. A big loss for those left.

[juanma240z]

If flying was the lenguage of men, soaring would bi its poetry. For those who have been up there, there is no place else where would we like to be.

Fly free man.

[hoppinonabronzeleg]

Did the investigators recover the logger & GPS?

[azzy314159]

@gedgar2000 Totally agree. he died while living, he did not die while dead. mark of every great man.

[patman0250]

@ANZACRECON shhhh!! dont talk so loud .. but again this guys a dumbass :) have a nice day lol

[ANZACRECON]

@patman0250 if people don't strive to do better, longer, faster and higher....then the world doesn't move forward - just backward! I never met the guy, but you have to give him credit to follow his dream, and also being a PIONEER in the world of high altitude gliding. -Your comment is a reflection of your understanding of human nature, and accomplishments.........YOU are the 'Dumbass!"

[THUNDERCHUNKY100]

i had no idea a glider could reach this altitude

[adreigle]

@juanma240z Well said

[TheGreatFlyer]

RIP from Cyprus, Dave.

[patman0250]

what a dumbass!!

[1982FMJ]

maybe cold air had an effect on the control surfaces and the wings at high altitude.