Flight: 1-63-104 T.O.: 1234

Pilot: J. B. McKay Launch: 1330

B-52: #003 Land: 1336

Launch: Delamar Total: :06

Preflight conditions up to the launch point were almost without incident. The inertial velocity was in error for approximately 15 minutes before launch by about 200 ft/sec. Also the heading readouts from the three axis ball were in error from about 2 to 10 degrees. The rate of change in error, however, appeared to be small, and it was decided to go ahead with the flight regardless of the small errors displayed in the inertial system.

The launch and engine start were normal. After coming up on q, the fuel line low light came on and the engine immediately shut down. The two actions happened almost together, before the throttle could be retarded; however, because of the low fuel pressure indicated by the warning light, an engine restart was not attempted.

A pushover and right turn was immediately started to Delamar Lake, and as the X-15 began to turn and indicating about 1/2 g on the meter, jettison was initiated. Visibility was good and there was no difficulty in seeing Delamar Lake in setting up the down-wind for a landing to the south. However, doing the base leg and while going through about 18,000 feet, the lakebed became obscured by several layers of clouds at the north end of the field and a turn to final was made earlier than normally planned to prevent overshooting on the base leg. Velocity over the edge of the lakebed was about 325 kts. Flaps were extended about 280 and the gear about 240. Touchdown appeared to be smooth, however, the airplane did not decelerate in the normal manner and skid drag was applied by full back stick. At approximately 60-70 kts, the X-15 ran into the over-run and came to rest without any apparent damage about 100 feet in soft dirt. The canopy was jettisoned about 20 feet before hitting the over-run and exit from the X-15 was made without incident with the help of the helicopter and NASA ground crew.