Legendary test pilot Scott Crossfield died Thursday, April 20th, 2006, at the controls of his Cessna 210A. He crashed in a forest about 50 miles northwest of Atlanta during a thunderstorm but the cause of the accident is not immediately known. He is survived by Alice, his wife of 60 years, 6 children, and 2 grandchildren. He was 84 years old.
If you aren't familiar with him, he is best known for piloting the X-15 to Mach 2.97. He's just an aviation legend. You can read more about him on NASA's website
As sad as it it to lose such a legend, I think a lotof pilots, an I'm sure his family and friends, take solice in the fact that he has "gone west" at the controls of his airplane. He died doing what pilots do, and for that to happen at the age of 84, well, I hope I'm so lucky.
Mr. Crossfield had an excellent reputation and was well liked in the community. Actualy, my understandings is that he was flying back from giving a talk about his experience as a test pilot to a group at an Air Force when he crashed.
Godspeed, Scott Crossfield.
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