Decidedly Grim

Today’s Lurching Yet Truly Morbid Fact!

One of the most bizarre experiments was performed in the 1960′s, when 10 soldiers boarded an aircraft for what they believed was a routine training mission from Fort Hunter Liggett airbase in California. After climbing to around 5,000 feet the plane suddenly lurched to one side and began to fall. Over the intercom, the pilot announced: “We have an emergency. An engine has stalled and the landing gear is not functioning. I’m going to attempt to ditch in the ocean.” While the soldiers faced almost certain death, a steward handed out insurance forms and asked the men to complete them, explaining it was necessary for the army to be covered if they died. Little did the soldiers know they were completely safe. It was merely an experiment to find out how extreme stress affects cognitive ability, the forms serving as the test. Once the final soldier had completed his form the pilot announced: “Just kidding about that emergency folks!” A later attempt to repeat the experiment with a new group of unwitting volunteers was ruined by one of the previous soldiers, who had penned a warning on a sickbag.

Culled from: The Guardian
Generously donated by: Katchaya

Facts