Hawthorne C. Gray
1889–1927Hawthorne C. Gray set two unofficial balloon altitude records in 1927, passing out from hypoxia on the first and parachuting out on the second, which disqualified FAI recognition.
Particulars
On March 9, 1927 Hawthorne C. Gray set an unofficial altitude record of 28,510 ft in a balloon launched from Scott Field, passed out from hypoxia, regained consciousness, dropped ballast and slowed his fall as the balloon descended on its own.
On May 4, 1927 Hawthorne C. Gray set an unofficial record of 42,470 ft in a balloon over Belleville; because the balloon descended rapidly, he parachuted out at 8,000 ft, which disqualified him from Fédération Aéronautique Internationale recognition.
Compiled from Wikipedia. Automated record.