Copyright © Chris McDoniel

Major Victor L. Milam flying U-2C, Article 394, departed Davis-Monthan at 7:29am for an upper air sampling equipment checkout mission. Approximately three hours later he was descending towards D-M when he encountered control problems with the aircraft.

"Roger, I'm in a turn to the left attempting to ease some of the pressure off the trim," Major Milam reported to Albuquerque Center. Moments later, Major Milam gave a quick follow-up, "four six zero (altitude 46,000 feet) and uh and I'm declaring emergency."

Anticipating the U-2C might break-up at any moment, Major Milam bailed out of the aircraft at 41,000 feet. The U-2C entered a flat spin until it impacted the desert 5 miles NW of Benson, AZ. After ejecting, Major Milam's seat didn't release and became tangled in the parachute shroud lines.  To prevent any further damage to the parachute, Major Milam was able to catch the spinning seat and hold on to it until contact with the ground. Major Milam suffered minor injuries.