Purpose of the flight and payload description
Third attempt of Nick Piantanida to break the record of hich parachute jump of Joe Kittinger in 1960. By still today unknown reasons Piantanida suffered a explosive decompression. The gondola was inmediatelly separated from the balloon, but the automatic security device wich slow down the gondola fall was activated. The capsule hit the ground 25 minutes after cut down. Piantanida was taken to the hospital for surgery. He remained in coma until in August 29 of that year died.
Details of the balloon flight
Balloon launched on: 5/1/1966 at A
Launch site: Joe Foss field, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, US
Balloon launched by: Raven Industries Inc.
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon Raven 141.500 m3
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 5/1/1966
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 1 h 30 m
Landing site: Near Lakefield, Minnesota, US
The pilot declared the emergency at 57.600 ft and ground control ejected the gondola.
External references
- Magnificent Failure: Free Fall from the Edge of Space Craig Ryan - Smithsonian Books (2003)
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