Fifty-seven years ago, test pilot Bruce Peterson survived one of aviation’s most dramatic crashes, an event so spectacular that NASA’s own crash footage later became the opening sequence of the hit 1970s TV series “The Six Million Dollar Man.”
NASA’s experimental M2-F2 flying saucer was flown by Peterson on May 10, 1967, at Dryden Flight Research Center, California, for a routine glide test flight over Rogers Dry Lakebed.
The wingless and delta-shaped flying saucer was designed to experiment with unconventional aerodynamic principles for future spacecraft re-entry.
However, as the aircraft took to the sky, Peterson’s M2-F2 developed a dangerous and difficult-to-control oscillation known as Dutch roll.
As Peterson gained control of the oscillation problem, he noticed a helicopter being used for aircraft recovery purposes.
The helicopter never came close, but Peterson’s lack of concentration led to tragedy. Due to his low flight and no markers on the runway, he miscalculated his distance to the lake bed. As a result he did not deploy the landing gear in time.
The M2-F2 landed hard, rolling in the desert area. It had overturned six times before coming to rest in the upside down position.
Pietersen suffered serious injuries, suffering a broken leg, broken pelvis and even loss of vision in his right eye. Fortunately, he survived.
