Engineer testing a fighter jet accidentally took off with no helmet, radio, or ejector
supercarblondie.com • • business
Key Points:
- In 1966, RAF engineer Walter "Taffy" Holden accidentally took off in an English Electric Lightning fighter jet, despite having no prior jet flying experience and lacking essential gear like a helmet, radio, or ejector seat.
- The incident occurred during ground tests aimed at diagnosing a recurring power issue with the jet’s cockpit instruments, when Taffy inadvertently engaged the afterburner, causing the plane to accelerate uncontrollably.
- Faced with an impending crash into a nearby village, Taffy made a split-second decision to take off and then managed to land the aircraft after two failed attempts, spending about 12 minutes in the air.
- The jet, capable of speeds above Mach 2, was never
