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George Burke
US Air Force captain and Vietnam War veteran who survived a 1970 Convair T29 mid-flight structural failure and crash; featured as the episode's primary survivor whose first-person account and recovery are central to the story.
Best podcasts with George Burke
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6 snips
Jan 22, 2026
• 46min
Spider Crack in Plane Window: Rapid Decompression
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George Burke, a US Air Force captain and Vietnam War veteran, shares his harrowing survival story following a mid-flight structural failure in 1970. He vividly recounts the moment he spotted a spider crack in the window before chaos erupted with explosive decompression. From the wreck's destruction to his miraculous rescue by a rancher, George discusses the physical and emotional scars he endured. He reflects on coping with survivor guilt, PTSD, and his journey as an author and speaker, highlighting the delicate balance of chance and fate in survival.
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