Jet Ejections That Made Aviation History

XB-70 Valkyrie And F-104N Collide During Promotional Photo Shoot

One of the most famous and tragic jet ejections happened on a beautiful day in June in 1966. America’s latest development, the XB-70 Valkyrie, along with four other aircraft including a F-104N Starfighter, were brought to Edwards AFB. There they would participate in a promotional photo shoot for the jet’s engine producer, General Electric. Pilots of the Valkyrie were North American test pilot Major Carl Cross and Air Force pilot Colonel Al White. Joe Walker piloted the Starfighter.

The planes were to make a certain formation for the photo op which had Walker following behind the XB-70 at very close range. Suddenly, the F-104 was overtaken by the wingtip vortices of the Valkyrie sending it cartwheeling out of control. The Valkyrie sliced through the F-104’s cockpit, killing Walker instantly. Soon, the XB-70 was also spinning out of control, making it difficult for the pilots to make it to their escape pods for ejection. Al White eventually was able to eject, but Cross never does. Four officers were eventually implicated in the subsequent investigation.