Fatal Accident (1) – Boeing B-52G-100-BW Stratofortress, 58-0188, 7.5 miles west of Thule Air Force Base, Greenland, January 21, 1968
OFFICIAL PRELIMINARY REPORT: Report Not Available
OFFICIAL FINAL REPORT: Report Not Available
SOURCE Report:
On January 21, 1968, a Boeing B-52G-100-BW Stratofortress, call sign “Hobo 28,” encountered a critical in-flight emergency, ultimately resulting in a crash near Thule Air Base in Greenland. The aircraft was part of Operation Chrome Dome, a Cold War initiative in which armed bombers patrolled near Soviet borders to ensure rapid response capability. “Hobo 28” was carrying four B28FI thermonuclear bombs. The emergency stemmed from a fire ignited by overheated air vented from an engine bleed system. The fire spread quickly, leading to catastrophic system failures and a complete loss of electrical power.
At approximately 90 miles south of Thule, the crew realized the situation was irrecoverable and initiated an emergency landing attempt. However, the spreading fire and loss of instrumentation forced the crew to abandon the aircraft. Six of the seven crew members ejected successfully, while one was fatally injured during bailout attempts. The unmanned aircraft continued its flight for a short distance before crashing onto the sea ice in North Star Bay. On impact, the high-explosive elements within the nuclear bombs detonated, scattering radioactive material over the ice, but there was no nuclear detonation due to design safeguards.
The incident, classified as a “Broken Arrow,” prompted a massive cleanup operation known as “Project Crested Ice,” involving American and Danish cooperation. Crews faced Arctic winter conditions, with temperatures dropping as low as -76°F. They identified and removed contaminated ice and debris, including components of the nuclear weapons. However, one secondary stage of a bomb could not be recovered and remains unaccounted for, raising concerns about its long-term environmental and security implications. The operation concluded in September 1968, with over 550,000 gallons of contaminated materials shipped to the United States for disposal.
The political fallout from the crash was significant. It exposed the presence of nuclear weapons in Greenland, violating Denmark’s nuclear-free zone policy. This led to diplomatic tensions and domestic controversy in Denmark, including accusations that Danish officials had tacitly allowed such operations. The Thule incident also contributed to the cessation of the Chrome Dome airborne alert program, as the risks of such missions became unsustainable.
From a technical perspective, the accident highlighted deficiencies in nuclear weapon safety and containment under extreme conditions. It spurred advancements in weapon design, including the development of more stable explosives and fireproof casings to minimize the risk of radioactive contamination during crashes. These lessons were instrumental in shaping safer practices for handling and deploying nuclear materials.
Environmentally, the cleanup efforts significantly reduced contamination levels, but periodic studies have continued to monitor the area. Reports have indicated minimal long-term environmental and human health risks, although concerns about radiation exposure among cleanup workers persist. These concerns have led to litigation and calls for compensation and medical monitoring for affected personnel.
The Thule crash remains one of the most serious nuclear incidents of the Cold War, serving as a cautionary tale about the intersection of military strategy, environmental stewardship, and international relations. It underscores the need for transparency, robust safety protocols, and effective crisis management in handling nuclear assets.
The Aviationist Report:
https://theaviationist.com/2014/01/21/thule-broken-arrow/
Aircraft Operator:
USAF, 528th BSqn /380th SWg
Video(s):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZT_1NMa-dY
Accident recreation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvXcxc-sw1I
Accident Location:
7.5 miles west of Thule Air Force Base, Greenland
76°31′40″N 69°16′55″W (https://g.co/kgs/ZNVVrrT)
Thule Air Base, now Pituffik Space Base, was established in 1951 on Greenland’s northwest coast, originally serving as a strategic Cold War installation. Its remote Arctic location, near the North Pole, made it critical for ballistic missile early warning systems and strategic defense during tensions with the Soviet Union. The site was selected for its proximity to polar routes and its ability to monitor Arctic regions.
Construction of the base, codenamed Operation Blue Jay, involved a monumental logistical effort with 120 ships and 12,000 workers. Completed in 1953, it became a hub for U.S. military and NATO operations, providing space and missile surveillance for NORAD and later the U.S. Space Force. The installation also supported scientific research and Arctic resupply missions.
In 1968, the base gained international attention due to a B-52 crash carrying nuclear weapons, leading to significant cleanup efforts and diplomatic tensions with Denmark. This incident underscored Thule’s role in high-stakes military operations and environmental considerations.
Over the years, Thule has evolved to host advanced satellite and space monitoring systems, playing a key role in modern space defense. In 2020, it transitioned from the Air Force to the Space Force and was renamed Pituffik Space Base in 2023 to honor its Greenlandic heritage.
Today, the base continues to support military operations, scientific research, and Arctic infrastructure. It stands as a critical node in global defense and aerospace networks, linking its Cold War origins to a modern role in space security.
ASN:
https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/48299
USAF Registration:
58-0188
Year of Manufacture:
1958
SN/Military Registration/BUNO:
13274
NTSB:
n/a
Facebook:
n/a
X/Twitter (reports+videos):
Great photo resource: https://x.com/Casillic/status/1426728092169654273
https://x.com/jacoburowsky/status/1870924783170593011
https://x.com/milcotto/status/1785277157679284343
ADS-B Exchange:
n/a
FlightAware:
n/a
flightradar24:
n/a
AirNav.radar:
n/a
National Report(s):
Archived
Local Report(s):
Archived
Image Reference(s):
https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/58-0188/
https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/9/2/7/0027729.jpg?v=v40
https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/01/23/50-years-ago-a-b-52-crashed-in-greenland-with-4-nuclear-bombs-on-board/
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