The Tragic Crash of NASA’s T-38 Talon: Remembering Astronauts Elliot See and Charles Bassett (1966)
On February 28, 1966, a tragic accident occurred when a NASA T-38 Talon aircraft, piloted by astronauts Elliot See and Charles Bassett, crashed into the McDonnell Aircraft factory while attempting a landing at Lambert Field in St. Louis, Missouri. Both astronauts died in the crash, and the event deeply affected the Apollo space program, which was at its height of activity.
The Context of the Incident
In 1966, the United States was deep into its space race with the Soviet Union. NASA’s Gemini program, a series of manned spaceflights designed to develop the capabilities required for the Apollo program's eventual moon landing, was in full swing. The astronauts of the Gemini program, including See and Bassett, were being rigorously trained for the upcoming missions, which involved advanced maneuvering, docking techniques, and operating spacecraft in Earth’s orbit.
The two astronauts had been selected to fly as the crew of Gemini 9, a mission that would test more advanced spaceflight techniques. However, tragedy struck during a routine training flight, causing a disruption not only in the lives of their families but also in the space program.
Who Were Elliot See and Charles Bassett?
Elliot M. See Jr. was born on July 23, 1932, in Dallas, Texas. A trained aeronautical engineer, See joined NASA as a part of the second group of astronauts selected by the space agency in 1962. Prior to becoming an astronaut, he was a test pilot for the U.S. Air Force, with extensive experience in high-performance aircraft. See had logged numerous flight hours in various aircraft, including the T-38 Talon, a sleek jet used extensively by NASA for astronaut training.
Charles A. Bassett was born on October 4, 1931, in Dayton, Ohio. Bassett, a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, had a distinguished career as a test pilot before being selected by NASA as an astronaut. Like See, Bassett was part of NASA’s second astronaut group and was highly regarded for his skill and professionalism in the air. He had completed his training on spacecraft systems and was eager to participate in the Gemini 9 mission, where he would have been the pilot, with See serving as the commander.
The two men were preparing for the Gemini 9 mission, which was scheduled for later that year. To complete their training, they would fly various aircraft, including the T-38 Talon, which was a key part of NASA’s astronaut training program. The T-38 was known for its speed and maneuverability, making it ideal for training purposes but also a challenging aircraft for the uninitiated.
The Flight on February 28, 1966
On February 28, 1966, Elliot See and Charles Bassett were scheduled for a routine training flight in the T-38, departing from the St. Louis area. The flight began without incident, but weather conditions at Lambert Field were deteriorating. The airport was experiencing low visibility, which made it difficult for the pilots to navigate safely, especially when approaching for landing.
The McDonnell Aircraft company, where NASA astronauts worked closely on spacecraft development, was located near the airport. The two astronauts had been returning from the factory after a visit, which was a common activity for the astronauts working on the Gemini and Apollo missions. The factory was involved in the production and assembly of the Gemini spacecraft, and the astronauts frequently interacted with engineers to ensure smooth mission operations.
The plane was approaching Lambert-St. Louis International Airport for landing, but the poor visibility conditions led to confusion. The T-38 Talon, while an agile and fast aircraft, was difficult to land in low-visibility conditions. As See and Bassett attempted to land in these poor weather conditions, they missed the runway and crashed into the McDonnell Aircraft factory. The collision resulted in a deadly explosion, and both astronauts were tragically killed instantly.
Investigation and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted an investigation into the accident. They found that the primary cause of the crash was pilot error caused by the challenging weather conditions. The pilots, according to the investigation, did not have sufficient visual references to guide their landing. Their attempt to land in conditions that were far below the visual flight rules (VFR) resulted in their fatal crash.
The investigators determined that cloud cover and low visibility made it extremely difficult for See and Bassett to properly assess their altitude and position in relation to the runway. The instrument approach system at Lambert Field, which would normally help guide pilots in poor weather conditions, was not available at the time of the crash.
Additionally, there was some speculation that the pilots may have been suffering from fatigue or were under some form of pressure related to their rigorous training schedule, but the investigation did not conclude that this was a major factor.
The accident was a devastating blow to NASA, as both See and Bassett had been viewed as some of the brightest and most capable astronauts in the program. Their deaths left a gap in the crew for the Gemini 9 mission, which would later be flown by Thomas P. Stafford and Eugene Cernan in June 1966.
Impact on the Apollo Program
The deaths of See and Bassett were felt deeply by their colleagues in the space program. At the time, NASA was preparing for the Apollo program, which aimed to land a human on the Moon. The tragic loss of these astronauts raised concerns about the safety of future missions and the risks involved in space exploration.
In the wake of the crash, NASA reassessed the training and flight protocols for its astronauts, emphasizing the importance of safety measures and improving weather-related procedures. The loss of See and Bassett also brought about heightened awareness of the dangers faced by astronauts, even during what appeared to be routine activities such as training flights.
Tribute to the Astronauts
In the aftermath of their deaths, both Elliot See and Charles Bassett were honored by NASA and the nation. Memorial services were held, and the astronauts were posthumously praised for their contributions to the Gemini program and their dedication to advancing human space exploration. Many of the astronauts who had worked alongside them spoke of their professionalism, skill, and enthusiasm for the space program.
To this day, the crash of February 28, 1966, remains one of the saddest moments in the history of NASA, and the sacrifice of Elliot See and Charles Bassett is a reminder of the dangers faced by those who push the boundaries of human knowledge and exploration.
Conclusion
The crash of the NASA T-38 Talon into the McDonnell Aircraft factory on February 28, 1966, remains a stark reminder of the risks involved in human space exploration. Astronauts Elliot See and Charles Bassett were highly skilled individuals who lost their lives during a training flight, an event that cast a shadow over the space program at the time.
Their deaths had a profound impact on the Apollo program and led to a reevaluation of NASA’s safety protocols and procedures. The tragedy, while heartbreaking, also underscored the commitment and courage of astronauts who, in the pursuit of scientific knowledge, risked their lives to explore the frontiers of space. Today, they are remembered as pioneers in the quest to explore the stars.
Photo from wikipedia
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