D-21 Tagboard

The Lockheed D-21, called project Tagboard, was an unmanned drone that was intended to perform high-altitude, high-speed reconnaissance. It was originally designed to be launched at a speed of Mach 3 (three times the speed of sound) from the back of an A-12 aircraft. The A-12 was a CIA spyplane, built as a successor to the U2, that was able to fly at 2200mph at an altitude of 85,000 feet.

On July 30, 1966 pilot William Park and launch control office Ray Torick were flying the A-12 that was attempting the fourth launch of a D-21. Park accelerated to the launch speed, began a shallow dive, and initiated the launch sequence for the D-21. The drone lifted off from the back of the A-12, but its engine did not start properly. The unpowered drone collapsed onto the back of its mother ship.

As the plane disintegrated, Park and Torick, flying at over 2,000 mph, were subjected to incredible forces of gravity. Both pilots ejected from the falling fuselage of their plane and came down in the Pacific Ocean. Park was picked up by a helicopter. Torick, who had survived the high-speed disintegration of the plane, drowned when his pressure suit filled with water.