Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Virgin Galactic pilot defied the odds to survive crash
latimes ^ | 11/6/2014 | Ralph Vartabedian, Melody Petersen

Posted on 11/06/2014 8:49:16 AM PST by rktman

The Virgin Galactic rocket plane had just broken the sound barrier and was shooting toward the heavens when it began disintegrating, battered by powerful aerodynamic forces. The pilots were strapped into their seats as entire pieces were torn from SpaceShipTwo. At more than 10 miles high, with fingers no doubt numb from the cold, Peter Siebold somehow escaped from the hurtling wreckage.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aerospace; aviation; godorluck; planecrash; survivors; virginatlantic
Mmmmmm. I'm thinkin' God wasn't ready for Pete to come home yet. I mean, crap! That had to raise his heart rate by just a few clicks. Speed brakes deploying during acceleration isn't a good thing.
1 posted on 11/06/2014 8:49:16 AM PST by rktman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: rktman

I code complex home automation code and I can see one interface overlooking another in the real world. Fortunately for me, no life and death consequences when testing.


2 posted on 11/06/2014 8:54:34 AM PST by George from New England (escaped CT in 2006, now living north of Tampa)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rktman

I was wondering how he survived. Can’t wait to read more as it comes out.


3 posted on 11/06/2014 8:59:00 AM PST by Gamecock (USA, Ret. 27 years.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rktman

Wow, rocket tears itself apart, he’s thrown clear of the wreckage in his chair, falls in the chair for 30,000 feet, then unstraps and deploys a parachute.

That’s amazing!


4 posted on 11/06/2014 9:02:18 AM PST by kingu (Everything starts with slashing the size and scope of the federal government.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rktman

5 posted on 11/06/2014 9:06:20 AM PST by Timber Rattler (Just say NO! to RINOS and the GOP-E)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Timber Rattler

Yeagaresque?


6 posted on 11/06/2014 9:14:07 AM PST by rktman (Protected "their" rights by serving in the Navy so they can now try to infringe on mine. Weird huh?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: rktman
Flight com! I can't hold it! She's breaking up! She's break---


7 posted on 11/06/2014 9:16:23 AM PST by mbarker12474
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rktman

Good to hear Bob Hoover is still giving interviews at 92.

A 92 year old test pilot is the definition of “One of the Greatest Pilots, ever”


8 posted on 11/06/2014 9:58:18 AM PST by UNGN (I've been here since '98 but had nothing to say until now)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kingu

Sounds like his Guardian Angel was on hazard duty.


9 posted on 11/06/2014 10:01:58 AM PST by Bigg Red (Too many productive Americans are POWs in the War on Poverty.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: UNGN

LOL! Funny that he attributes his current physical condition to some of those mishaps and not his age. I guess the combo of incidents and age should weigh in. Tough hombres.


10 posted on 11/06/2014 10:02:36 AM PST by rktman (Protected "their" rights by serving in the Navy so they can now try to infringe on mine. Weird huh?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: George from New England
Fortunately for me, no life and death consequences when testing.

Except when the machines rise... ;-)

11 posted on 11/06/2014 10:32:57 AM PST by IYAS9YAS (Has anyone seen my tagline? It was here yesterday. I seem to have misplaced it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: rktman

Well, at least they finally figured out whether it was the pilot or co-pilot that got killed. The news media kept alternating between the two for the week after the accident. Frankly, it was getting pretty annoying.


12 posted on 11/09/2014 9:20:03 AM PST by Excuse_My_Bellicosity (Visualize whirled peas.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson