In April 1957, a Lockheed U-2 spy plane piloted by test pilot Bob Sieker tragically crashed during a high-altitude test flight near Area 51. At an altitude of 65,000 feet, the engine flamed out, and a pressure suit malfunction left Sieker unconscious as the plane spiraled into a flat spin. Though he regained consciousness and attempted to eject, a fatal collision with the aircraft’s tail sealed his fate. This incident led to critical safety advancements, including improved pressure suits, oxygen systems, and emergency protocols, shaping the future of U-2 operations.
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