The X-15 Was One of Few Aircraft That Caused Grown Men to Cry -Scott Crossfield

On September 17, 1959, test pilot Albert Scott Crossfield completed the first powered flight in the rocket propelled X-15. Because of delays in the development of the X-15's mammoth 57,000 pounds force thrust XLR-99 engine, the early flights were completed with the XLR-11 rocket engines.

Shortly after launch on his third flight, one of these engines exploded. Unable to jettison his propellants, Crossfield was forced to make an emergency landing during which the excessive load on the aircraft broke its back just behind the cockpit. He was uninjured and the airplane was repaired.

On June 8, 1960, Scott had another close call during ground tests with the new XLR-99 engine. He was seated in the cockpit of the No. 3 X-15 when a malfunctioning valve caused a catastrophic explosion subjecting Crossfield to a later calculated acceleration force of near 50 Gs. The airplane was completely rebuilt and on November 15 of the same year, Scott completed the X-15's first powered flight with the XLR-99 engine. Two flights later, on December 6, he brought North American's demonstration program to a successful conclusion as he completed his final flight in the X-15. Although it had been his hope to eventually pilot one of the craft into space, the USAF would not allow it, and gave strict orders which basically amounted to "stay in the sky, stay out of space."

All together, Crossfield completed 16 captive flights (mated to the B-52 launch aircraft), one glide and 13 powered flights in the X-15. The surprise retirement of the X-15 (due to funding cutbacks) after its record-setting Mach 6.72 (4,520 mph) flight prompted fellow test pilot Pete Knight to remark that he would have pushed it to even faster speeds if he knew it was the last flight. In his remarks to a number of aviation groups, Crossfield cited the X-15 as one of few aircraft that caused grown men to cry upon its retirement.