Fatal Accident (3 of 7 fatal on B-52G; 4 fatal the KC-135A) – Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker, 61-0273, near Palomares, Almería, Spain, January 17, 1966
Aviation Safety X Report:
On January 17, 1966, at approximately 10:30 a.m., a U.S. Air Force Boeing B-52G Stratofortress (serial number 58-0256, assigned to the 68th Bomb Wing) collided with a KC-135A Stratotanker (serial number 61-0273, c/n 18180/495) during an aerial refueling operation over the Mediterranean Sea near Palomares, Spain. This mid-air collision, part of a routine Cold War mission codenamed Operation Chrome Dome,” resulted in the destruction of both aircraft and the release of four B28FI hydrogen bombs. The incident caused significant fatalities, environmental contamination, and a high-stakes recovery operation, making it one of the most consequential aviation accidents of the era.
The B-52G was operating out of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, tasked with maintaining nuclear deterrence by patrolling near European borders during the Cold War. The aircraft was carrying four B28FI thermonuclear bombs, each designed with versatile fuzing capabilities. Its refueling partner, the KC-135A Stratotanker, originated from Morón Air Base, Spain, and was fully loaded with fuel for the operation. As the B-52 approached the KC-135 for the second scheduled mid-air refueling of the mission, the boom of the tanker struck the bomber’s upper fuselage, severing a structural longeron and detaching the B-52’s left wing.
The collision caused the immediate destruction of the KC-135A, which exploded mid-air due to its full fuel load, killing all four crew members aboard: Major Emil J. Chapla, Captain Paul R. Lane, 1st Lieutenant Leo Simmons, and Staff Sergeant Lloyd G. Potts. The B-52G also disintegrated, killing three of its seven crew members. Those who lost their lives included 1st Lieutenant George J. Glessner, 1st Lieutenant Steven G. Montanus, and Technical Sergeant Ronald P. Snyder. The surviving four crew members—Aircraft Commander Major Larry Messinger, Pilot Captain Charles Wendorf, Co-pilot Michael Rooney, and Radar Navigator Captain Ivan Buchanan—ejected safely. Some landed in the Mediterranean Sea, where they were later rescued.
The incident occurred near the coastal village of Palomares, in the Almería province of Spain. The B-52G’s cargo of four nuclear bombs separated from the aircraft during the collision. Three of the bombs were located on land, near the village. While none of the weapons detonated their nuclear cores, two of them experienced high-explosive detonations, scattering radioactive plutonium over a 2-square-kilometer area. This contamination became one of the most challenging environmental consequences of the accident.
The fourth bomb fell into the Mediterranean Sea, prompting a massive recovery effort. Over the course of two and a half months, U.S. Navy and civilian teams, equipped with advanced technology, including submarines and underwater search equipment, combed the seafloor. Bayesian probability models were employed to narrow down the search area based on eyewitness accounts from local fishermen. Ultimately, the bomb was found intact on April 7, 1966, at a depth of 2,550 feet, marking the end of a highly publicized recovery operation.
The environmental contamination at Palomares necessitated a large-scale cleanup effort. Approximately 1,400 tons of plutonium-contaminated soil were excavated and shipped to the United States for storage. Despite these efforts, residual contamination persisted in some areas, leading to ongoing monitoring and additional remediation activities in subsequent decades. The incident highlighted the risks associated with airborne nuclear alert missions and led to increased scrutiny of such operations.
The Palomares incident had significant diplomatic repercussions. It strained U.S.-Spain relations and provoked widespread public concern about the safety of nuclear weapons. Spanish authorities demanded transparency and accountability, while the U.S. military faced intense criticism for its handling of the crisis. In response, the U.S. Air Force reevaluated its operational practices, ultimately scaling back its airborne alert missions to reduce the risk of similar accidents.
This incident underscored the complexities of Cold War military strategy and the inherent dangers of maintaining a nuclear deterrent through airborne operations. It also highlighted the need for robust safety protocols in handling nuclear weapons, particularly in high-stakes scenarios like mid-air refueling. The lessons learned from the Palomares incident influenced future policies on nuclear weapon storage, transportation, and operational safety.
Today, the Palomares incident remains a key case study in aviation safety, environmental risk management, and Cold War history. It serves as a reminder of the extraordinary challenges faced during an era defined by geopolitical tension and rapid technological advancement. The recovery and cleanup efforts associated with the event continue to be regarded as milestones in both engineering innovation and environmental remediation.
United States Department of State Unclassified Report:
https://www.alsresume.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Polimaris-Incident.pdf
Report Summary:
– Event Summary: A B-52 Stratofortress collided with a KC-135 Stratotanker during mid-air refueling over Palomares, Spain, resulting in the release of four hydrogen bombs.
– Impact: Two bombs experienced conventional explosive detonations on land, spreading radioactive plutonium over a 2-square-kilometer area, while another fell into the Mediterranean Sea and was recovered intact after an extensive search.
– Casualties: Seven crew members died, with some survivors rescued after ejecting.
– Environmental and Diplomatic Consequences: Cleanup involved removing contaminated soil and heightened diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Spain.
– Public Relations and Legacy: Efforts were made to reassure the public and mitigate the incident’s long-term impact, with ongoing monitoring and occasional disputes over the contamination area.
The Aviatioist Report:
https://theaviationist.com/2013/04/24/broken-arrow/
Aircraft Operator:
United States Air Force
Video(s):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEGC8M-b0Bo
Accident Location:
near Palomares, Almería, Spain
37°14′57″N 1°47′49″W (https://g.co/kgs/8iWrd27)
ASN:
https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/48306
USAF KC-135A Registration:
61-0273
Year of Manufacture:
1961
SN/Military Registration/BUNO:
18180/495
Facebook:
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X/Twitter (reports+videos):
https://x.com/ron_eisele/status/1879977703287500931
https://x.com/StoraxBobac/status/977384562928975872
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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1966_Palomares_incident
https://x.com/ron_eisele/status/1879977703287500931
https://x.com/StoraxBobac/status/977384562928975872
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