On This Day: The fall of the Valkyrie June 9 1966: The 2nd prototype of the North American XB-70 Valkyrie [62-02070] collides with an F-104 Starfighter over California (US). Of the three aboard both planes, only the XB-70´s pilot survives, with his co-pilot and the fighter pilot perishing. Incident occurred during a photoshoot while in close formation. Enquiry stated the F-104´s pilot was in a position where he was unable to safely distance from XB-70 (more details from the ASN Entry below) The XB-70 was a Mach 3 bomber developed in the 50s. Developments in missile technology made the concept obsolete, leading to its cancellation in 1961. At the time of the crash, the two prototypes that had been built were being used for research. Video is from an excerpt by YouTuber Mike Bell – Video´s name is “Wake Vortex and the XB-70 crash” More info on the report here “ On 8 June 1966, XB-70A No. 2 was in close formation with four other aircraft (an F-4 Phantom, an F-5, a T-38 Talon, and an F-104 Starfighter) for a photoshoot at the behest of General Electric, manufacturer of the engines of all five aircraft. The USAF summary report of the accident investigation stated that, given the position of the F-104 relative to the XB-70, the F-104 pilot would not have been able to see the XB-70's wing, except by uncomfortably looking back over his left shoulder. The report said that Walker, piloting the F-104, likely maintained his position by looking at the fuselage of the XB-70, forward of his position. The F-104 was estimated to be 70 ft (21 m) to the side of, and 10 ft (3 m) below, the fuselage of the XB-70. The report concluded that from that position, without appropriate sight cues, Walker was unable to properly perceive his motion relative to the Valkyrie, leading to his aircraft drifting into contact with the XB-70's wing”