1992 : Test pilot David Cooley , 49 , of Palmdale , California , dies in crash . F-22A fighter jet crashes 35 miles northeast of Edwards AFB around 10:30 a.m . An F-22A fighter jet similar to this one crashed Wednesday during a test mission in California . The one - seater jet was on a test mission when it crashed . At $ 100 million apiece , the F-22A is the most expensive Air Force aircraft .
1992 : Test pilot David Cooley , 49 , of Palmdale , California , dies in crash . F-22A fighter jet crashes 35 miles northeast of Edwards AFB around 10:30 a.m . The one - seater jet was on a test mission when it crashed . At $ 100 million apiece , the F-22A is the most expensive Air Force aircraft .