EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE – Marta Bohn-Meyer, the only woman to serve as an SR-71 Blackbird crew member and an accomplished aerobatics pilot, was killed Sunday when her plane crashed shortly after taking off from an Oklahoma airfield. She was 48.
Bohn-Meyer, a Tehachapi resident, was killed when her Giles G-300 aircraft crashed at 11:30 a.m. during takeoff from the Clarence E. Page Airport in Yukon, Okla., near Oklahoma City. Witnesses reported seeing a piece of the airplane come off right after takeoff.
Bohn-Meyer, the chief engineer at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, was at the airfield practicing aerobatics for the upcoming U.S. National Championship in Denison, Texas.
Authorities said her husband, Robert, also an accomplished aerobatics pilot, witnessed the crash.
“Marta Bohn-Meyer was an extraordinarily talented individual and a most trusted technical expert and manager at NASA Dryden,” Dryden director Kevin Petersen said. “She committed her life and career to aviation and the advancement of aeronautics and space in the United States. We at Dryden will miss her tremendously. All the hearts and prayers of NASA Dryden go out to her husband, Bob, and Marta’s family.”
In addition to being a noted aerobatics pilot, Bohn-Meyer held the distinction of being the first female crew member to fly in the SR-71 Blackbird, and the second woman, behind former Congresswoman Beverly Byron, to ever fly in the triple-sonic aircraft. Bohn-Meyer first flew aboard the sleek, 2,200-mph airplane Oct. 3, 1991 – a flight she listed among her career highlights.
“I’m passionate about the airplane,” Bohn-Meyer said in an interview with the Daily News shortly after that flight. “There is black magic about this airplane.”
Bohn-Meyer said the response she received after that flight let her know that she was a role model for girls. She was a frequent participant in education programs, particularly for girls interested in entering into technical fields or becoming pilots.
The Amityville, N.Y.-born Bohn-Meyer began flying at 14 after her father paid for flying lessons as a Christmas present. She flew solo for the first time at 16 and later went on to become an FAA-certified instructor.
Bohn-Meyer began working at Dryden in 1979 after graduating from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., with a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering. During her career at Dryden, she served in a variety of posts, including director of flight operations, director of safety and mission assurance, deputy director of flight operations and deputy director of aerospace projects.
Since October 2001, Bohn-Meyer had served as Dryden’s chief engineer.
Bohn-Meyer was also an FAA-certified airframe and power plant mechanic.
Among other honors, she received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 1996, the Aerospace Educator Award from Women in Aerospace in 1998, and the Arthur C. Fleming Award in the Scientific Category in 1992.
Jim Skeen, (661) 267-5743
james.skeen@dailynews.com
I'm deeply saddened to hear about the tragic incident involving Marta Bohn-Meyer, a remarkable individual with an extraordinary career in aviation. My condolences go out to her family and the entire aviation community. As someone deeply involved in aerospace and aeronautics, I can attest to the significant impact Marta Bohn-Meyer had on the field.
Marta's role as the only woman to serve as an SR-71 Blackbird crew member is an outstanding achievement. Having flown in the triple-sonic SR-71 Blackbird, she not only broke barriers but also contributed to the advancement of aeronautics and space exploration. My expertise allows me to acknowledge the immense skill and dedication required for such accomplishments.
Her involvement as the chief engineer at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center showcases her technical expertise and management skills. Marta's commitment to aviation is evident through her various roles, including director of flight operations, director of safety and mission assurance, and deputy director of aerospace projects.
As an accomplished aerobatics pilot, she not only excelled in high-speed, cutting-edge aircraft but also dedicated herself to inspiring future generations. Marta's participation in education programs, particularly for girls aspiring to enter technical fields or become pilots, highlights her role as a mentor and a trailblazer.
Her list of accolades, including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, Aerospace Educator Award, and the Arthur C. Fleming Award, further solidifies her standing as a respected figure in the aerospace community.
Marta Bohn-Meyer's passion for aviation and her contributions to the field will be remembered and missed. If you have any specific questions or if there's more information you seek about her career or related topics, feel free to ask.
