Famed test pilot missing in flight

[alicia-w]

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Authorities were searching early Thursday for a small plane registered to a famed test pilot that vanished from radar on Wednesday on a flight from Prattville, Alabama, to Manassas, Virginia.

Air traffic control last had contact with the plane registered to test pilot Scott Crossfield about 11 a.m. Wednesday when it was about 10 miles southwest of Ellijay, Georgia, about 60 miles north of Atlanta, an FAA spokeswoman told CNN.

The spokeswoman said she could not confirm who was aboard the single engine plane.

Crossfield, 84, was the first man to fly the X-15 jet and the first pilot to fly faster than Mach 2. He was the test pilot for several other research aircraft and won dozens of awards and honors for his pioneering work. Crossfield's test pilot character was immortalized in the book by Tom Wolfe, "The Right Stuff," and portrayed by actor Scott Wilson in the movie of the same name.

Capt. Paige Joyner of the Civil Air Patrol also would not confirm the identity of the pilot but said the family had reported no contact.

Joyner said the plane departed Prattville, about 12 miles northwest of Montgomery, at about 9 a.m.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/04/20/georgi ... index.html

[Brent]

Legendary Pilot's Plane Found
Web Editor: Tracey Christensen
Last Modified: 4/20/2006 1:31:54 PM

Wreckage from a plane registered to legendary test pilot Scott Crossfield has been found in the forests of North Georgia, Gordon County EMA Director Courtney Taylor confirmed for 11Alive News reporter Kevin Rowson Thursday. The Associated Press is also reporting that a body has been pulled from the crash site.

The plane that went missing on Wednesday is owned by the 84-year-old Crossfield, the first man to fly at twice the speed of sound. Officials are not certain if Crossfield was piloting the Cessna when it disappeared from radar near Ellijay, Ga.

The Cessna left Prattville, Ala. on a flight to Virginia. The Civil Air Patrol's Georgia wing helped conduct air and ground searches along the flight path, a spokesperson said. The wreckage was found on the border of Gordon and Pickens county.

http://www.11alive.com/news/news_articl ... ryid=78819

[alicia-w]

how sad, but he lived a full life and died doing what he loved best: flying.

[Pburgh]

That's so true Alice. Prayers going out for his loved ones.