Hughes was assisted by his partner Waldo Stakes. While riding the rocket Hughes was able to reach a height of 5000 feet. A TV show about amateur rocket makers Homemade Astronauts was filming the launch to air it on their US Science Channel.

A footage recorded by the ‘Homemade Astronauts’ was shared on various social media platforms. It showed how after just a few seconds of the rocket being fired in the air it plummeted back down to Earth. A parachute was deployed too soon after the launch as it could be seen trailing behind the rocket. The speed of the rocket is estimated to have reached 350 miles per hour before he activated the parachute.

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that officers had been called on 22nd February at approximately 2 p.m. for the rocket launch event. They confirmed that a man was declared dead after the rocket crashed in the open desert. The US news outlet got the confirmation from Hughes’ publicist that it was the pilot who lost his life when the rocket crashed and no other injuries were reported.

Michael 'Mad Mike' Hughes tragically passed away today during an attempt to launch his homemade rocket. Our thoughts & prayers go out to his family & friends during this difficult time. It was always his dream to do this launch & Science Channel was there to chronicle his journey pic.twitter.com/GxwjpVf2md

— Science Channel (@ScienceChannel) February 23 2020

The Science Channel gave a tribute to Michael Hughes by tweeting: Michael ‘Mad Mikes’ Hughes tragically passed away today during an attempt to launch his homemade rocket. Our thoughts and prayer go out to his family and friends during this difficult time. It was always his dream to do this launch and Science Channel was there to chronicle his journey.

BBC news reported that Hughes and his assistant Waldo had built the rocket in his back garden. They had spent $18000 on the rocket. It was also reported that rocket ran off steam which it ejected through a nozzle to propel it forward.

Hughes was also a Daredevil as in 2018 he made a headline after blasting himself 1875 feet into the sky in the rocket before hitting the ground with a bump. In 2002 he completed the longest limousine ramp jump and smashed the Guinness World Record. He jumped 31.39m in a stretched limo at California’s Perris Auto Speedway.

In 2018 Hughes spoke to CBS News and said “I just want people to question everything. Question what your congressman is doing your city council. Question what really happened in the Civil War. What happened during 9/11.”

Our condolence is with Michael Hughes family and may his soul rest in peace.

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