Fifty-seven years ago, test pilot Bruce Peterson survived one of aviation’s most dramatic crashes, an incident so spectacular that NASA’s own crash footage later became the opening sequence for 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, in Dryden Flight Research Center, California, for a regular glide test flight over Rogers Dry Lakebed.
The wingless and delta-shaped flying saucer was made to experiment with unorthodox aerodynamic theory for future spacecraft reentry.
However, as the aircraft glided through 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 an approaching helicopter used for the purpose of aircraft recovery.
The helicopter never got near, but Peterson’s lack of concentration caused tragedy. With no markers on the runway due to his low flying, he misjudged his distance from the lakebed. This resulted in him not deploying the landing gear in time.
M2-F2 landed hard, rolling across the desert terrain. It had rolled over six times until it stopped in an inverted position.
Peterson was severely hurt by having broken legs, a broken pelvis, and even losing sight in his right eye. Fortunately, he survived.
