Popular Mechanics

A Mechanic Dropped an 8-Pound Socket Down a Missile Silo—And Nearly Caused America’s Chernobyl

In September 1980 a nine‑pound socket fell down the shaft of a Titan‑II ICBM at Missile Complex 374‑7 in Damascus, Arkansas, puncturing the missile’s hull and releasing hypergolic fuel. The vapor ignited, blowing the silo doors off and scattering the nine‑megaton warhead a short distance from the silo. Only one airman died, but several survivors later suffered chronic health problems. The incident exposed the extreme hazards of aging nuclear‑missile infrastructure and prompted renewed scrutiny of U.S. strategic weapons safety.