nasa crash nasa crash occurred nasa crashed field missouri february killing aircraft piloted crashed building spacecraft assembled weather poor rain snow fog low clouds nasa panel headed chief investigated crash panel considered possible medical issues aircraft maintenance problems addition weather air traffic control factors end verdict crash caused pilot error aftermath crash backup crew moved primary position mission scheduled early june backup mission backup crew normal rotation assigned prime crew experience unlikely assigned apollo mission second man walk moon accident prime crew assigned mission backup crew mission flying normal training base houston texas weeks training rendezvous docking procedures prime contractor spacecraft routine flight times previously flew jet trainer tail number nasa air_force serial number controls rear seat second nasa carried configuration aircraft took texas lead wing position weather field poor rain snow fog broken clouds feet flight ceiling feet requiring instrument approach aircraft emerged clouds shortly pilots realized missed outer marker runway elected perform visual approach simplified landing procedure allowing flight instrument rules long pilot airfield preceding aircraft sight reported weather conditions airport adequate type approach visibility irregular deteriorating rapidly began follow plane lost sight clouds instead followed standard procedure missed approach pulled aircraft clouds attempt instrument landing completed circle left altitude feet announced intention land southwest runway landing gear flaps plane dropped quickly far left runway turned increase power pulling turning hard right seconds later plane struck roof northeast airport lost right wing landing gear impact crashed parking lot building use construction staging area instantly succumbed trauma sustained crash employees contractors received minor injuries falling debris crash set small fires inside building caused minor flooding number broken pipes coincidence died feet spacecraft flown orbit final stages assembly building undamaged piece debris wing struck unfinished spacecraft clouds second idea happened flight partners air traffic controllers confused planes flight attempting different actions initial missed approach ground knew crashed plane delay asked identify given permission land informed crash ground personally distraught loss close colleagues friends acted nasa chief contact scene personnel arrived relieve later day investigation aftermath nasa immediately appointed member panel investigate crash headed chief panel weighed possible medical issues aircraft maintenance problems weather conditions air traffic control factors end verdict pilot error citing inability maintain visual reference landing primary cause crash described cautious conservative pilot accident report memoir chief astronaut diplomatic calling skills old including worked backup crew defended ability crash affect space flight operations spacecraft undamaged shipped nasa days crash accident caused delays engineering changes space program loss crew cause nasa crew assignments subsequent apollo missions moved primary position designated backup crew normal rotation assigned prime crew experience mission unlikely choice apollo mission second man walk moon
1966 NASA T-38 crash