Today In History:  31 August  [1956]   --  CIA Lockheed U-2 crash

A Lockheed U-2A aircraft previously delivered to the Central Intelligence Agency in July 1956 crashed at Groom Lake, Nevada this date during a night training flight, killing pilot Frank G. Grace, Jr. Grace became disoriented by lights near the end of the runway and flew into a telephone pole.

PHOTO: Original U-2A at USAF Museum

See the Historical Aviation Film Unit website at http://www.aviationfilm.com to get a new history tidbit every day.


Photo Attribution:  Public Domain  via Wikimedia.