Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

crash and burn
     
         A spectacular crash, in the mode of the conclusion of
        the car-chase scene in the movie "Bullitt" and many subsequent
        imitators (compare {die horribly}).  A {Sun-3} {display
        screen} losing the flyback transformer and lightning strikes
        on {VAX-11/780} backplanes are notable crash and burn
        generators.
     
        The construction "crash-and-burn machine" is reported for a
        computer used exclusively for alpha or {beta} testing, or
        reproducing bugs (i.e. not for development).  The implication
        is that it wouldn't be such a disaster if that machine
        crashed, since only the testers would be inconvenienced.
     
        [{Jargon File}]
     
        (1996-02-22)