Daredevil ‘Mad’ Mike Hughes Killed In Homemade Rocket Crash
This past weekend (Feb. 22), daredevil, “Mad” Mike Hughes was tragically killed when his homemade steam rocket crashed, with him attached, shortly after takeoff.
During filming for the Science Channel’s ‘Homemade Astronauts,’ the 64-year-old pseudoscientist, who believed Earth is flat, not round, launched his rocket in a San Bernardino, CA desert, and soon after crashed into the ground, killing him.
RELATED: Kobe Bryant’s Helicopter Was Only 100 Feet Away From Clear Skies Before Crash
Hughes was reportedly attempting to reach 5,000 feet, but only peaked at approximately 1,875 feet, before crashing. Journalist Justin Chapman added that the rocket “appeared to rub against the launch apparatus, which might have torn the parachutes attached to it.”
Prior to this attempt, Hughes had a successful launch in 2018, hitting the same peak, but noting that his landing was pretty hard.
RELATED: Ryan Newman Walks Out Of Hospital 2 Days After Horrific Daytona 500 Crash
Hughes knew of the risks associated, and previously told Space.com, “It’s a dangerous thing to do. Anything [going wrong] could be catastrophic.”
His partner, Waldo Stakes, shared, “This is a 50-50 deal. When you climb inside the rocket there’s a 50% chance you’re not gonna climb back out of it. Mike is a daredevil and he’s willing to take the risk.”