Skip to Content

NTSB: Spaceship pilot was thrown free by breakup

The National Transportation Safety Board says the pilot who survived the breakup of a Virgin Galactic spaceship was unaware his co-pilot had prematurely unlocked the craft’s re-entry braking system, then was thrown clear of the disintegrating craft.

The investigation update Wednesday does not provide any details on what caused SpaceShipTwo to crash Oct. 31 in the Mojave Desert.

The NTSB says pilot Peter Siebold told investigators Friday that he was pulled from the vehicle when it disintegrated. He told investigators he unbuckled from his seat at some point during his fall and his parachute deployed automatically.

The NTSB previously said the ship designed to fly tourists to the edge of space tore apart a few seconds after the co-pilot unlocked the braking system.

Article Topic Follows: News

Jump to comments ↓

KESQ News Team

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

News Channel 3 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content