The great scene where Yeager crashes the NF-104. The plane was adapted with a rocket motor to propel it to an altitude over 100,000 ft. At that altitude the atmosphere is too thin for traditional flight controls. RCS thrusters were used to pitch the aircraft into the appropriate nose down configuration for reentry and resumption of aerodynamic flight. On Yeager's flight he achieved an approximate altitude of 108,000 ft. but failed to achieve a nose-first reentry. The result was the dreaded flat spin, a notoriously difficult position to recover. Eventually, when he ejected, the thrusters on the bottom of his ejection seat impacted his helmet visor, splitting it and setting his oxygen enriched flight suit aflame. He eventually tore the burning helmet from his head, but not before suffering significant burns to his face and hands.