Chuck Yeager, Glen Edwards & others who pushed the envelope brought us to today PERSPECTIVE The crew of the Northrup YB-40 flying wing jet bomber that crashed June 5, 1948 killing its five crew members including Glen Edwards. Chuck Yeager — arguably the most famous test pilot in United States history — passed away this week at age 97. On Oct. 14, 1947 at age 24 Yeager made history as he pushed the limits by piloting the bullet-shaped Bell X-1 rocket to a then daunting speed of 660 mph to become the first man to break the sound barrier. Yeager edged out another test pilot for the privilege of being the first to break the sound barrier. The other man was Glen Edwards.