www.habu.org - 06929 - Blackbird Photo Archive (original) (raw)

8 A-12s and 2 YF-12s lined up on the ramp at Groom Dry Lake. 929 is the fourth aircraft in line, to the left of 924, the Titanium Goose (927), and 928. - photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin

929 was lost on Tuesday, December 28, 1965. The newly-installed SAS (Stability Augmentation System) had the connections wired backwards, causing the airplane to lose complete control just seconds after takeoff from Groom Dry Lake; pilot Mele Vojvodich ejected safely at an altitude of 150 feet. All future SAS installations used polarized connectors. You live, you learn.