The Broken Arrow Project: Visualizing the Dangers of Maintaining the U.S. Nuclear Arsenal

August 5, 1950 - Fairfield Suisun-AFB, California

DOD: A B-29 carrying a weapon but no capsule, experienced two runaway propellers and landing gear retraction difficulties on takeoff from Fairfield-Suisun AFB (now Travis AFB). The aircraft attempted an emergency landing and crashed and burned. The fire was fought for 12-15 minutes before the weapon's high explosive material detonated. Nineteen crew members and rescue personnel were killed in the crash and/or the resulting detonation, including General Travis

CDI: The aircraft crashed near a trailer camp occupied by 200 service families. The explosion of 10-12 500 lb conventional explosive bombs shattered more than half of the fifty automobiles and trailers, blasted a crater 20 yards across and six feet deep and was felt 30 miles away. The fire could be seen for 65 miles. There were also 60 people hurt.

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