Scientific error

There have been a number of times respected scientists have trusted their instruments and gotten their fingers burnt.  The neutrinos traveling faster than light comes to mind.

There have also been times when the scientist believes his numbers over the rest of the scientific world, and in the end put himself on the fringe.  Room temperature superconducting comes to mind.  Here the potential profits were so great and even getting study grants so important that the people involved just refused to admit error.  They probably convinced themselves -- unless we are careful and humble it can happen to anyone.

The scientific edifice is not often in need of major demolition and repair.  Most changes happen incrementally, so whenever one has results that imply need for a major change, one should be very sure of one's data and its interpretation.  This is not something the untrained or amateur should even think of undertaking.