US F-16 accidentally bombs apartment complex in Tulsa, Oklahoma

[December]

Stealth bombers are dropping from the sky and now this.
What's going on in USAF?

Sat, 15 Mar 2008

A US Air National Guard F-16 fighter jet has accidentally bombed an apartment complex in the mid-American city of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The pilot was under the impression that the 25-pound bomb had been dropped over a field in Kansas and not on a densely populated area in Oklahoma.

According to Oklahoma Air National Guard, the non-explosive BDU-33 bomb was equipped with an inert warhead and was dropped, as the F-16 was en route to Smokey Hill Gunnery Range in Salina, Kan.
The incident has significantly damaged the building, leaving more than 16 apartments without power.

The Air National Guard has canceled all practice flights involving the non-explosive training bombs until the matter is thoroughly investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Earlier in October 2007, a Navy fighter jet accidentally dropped a 10-pound BDU-48 on a Virginia Beach warehouse and in July 2002, an Air Force jet released three BDU-33s over Texas and New Mexico.


http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/types/usa/lockheed_martin/f-16/f16_10.jpg

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/postcards-pictures-of/ok-pc446-TulsaSkyline.jpg

http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=47602&sectionid=3510203

[Easy90]

It's bad maps. Remember? The Chinese embassy was bombed the same way. OR...maybe the USAF HATES that guy! Don't fret...the BATF will figure it out. LOL!

[Keith Hamburger]

Interesting. Tulsa has the dubious distinction of being the first American city bombed from the air and the only city in the contiguous United States to have been bombed from an aircraft.

This must be an extension.

Keith

[Easy90]

Interesting. Tulsa has the dubious distinction of being the first American city bombed from the air and the only city in the contiguous United States to have been bombed from an aircraft.

This must be an extension.

Keith

That is interesting. I can think of so many other American cities that deserve it so much more. Berkeley, Ca...for instance. But heck, not with a BDU-33. Tha's like dropping a sack of flour on something.

[apdst]

I think this story is a hoax, but if it isn't, this pilot should be drummed out of the service, because he's obviously too fuckin' stupid to fly combat aircraft for The United States Military.

[Easy90]

There's all kinds of possible reasons the bomb could have pickled (outside of ineptitude.) It's not a live bomb anyway...Regardless...without any information as to why it occurred, it's a bit silly to condemn the pilot for losing something off his airplane. Happens all the time.

[apdst]

Well, I'm still not convinced that the story isn't a hoax.

[Elrathin]

Not a hoax

Here are some more links:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/bizarre/5620311.html

[Elrathin]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,338012,00.html

[Elrathin]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/15/us/15brfs-PRACTICEBOMB_BRF.html

For some reason wouldn't let me post 3 url links on one post /shrug

[potter]

Interesting. Tulsa has the dubious distinction of being the first American city bombed from the air and the only city in the contiguous United States to have been bombed from an aircraft.

This must be an extension.

Keith

That is interesting. I can think of so many other American cities that deserve it so much more. Berkeley, Ca...for instance. But heck, not with a BDU-33. Tha's like dropping a sack of flour on something.


Amazing that you would advocate killing other Americans for their political beliefs. :fight:

[Go Fish]

When these practice bombs are loaded, the ejector foot of the bomb rack is removed. Instead of the bomb being pushed away from the rack as the hooks open, the hooks just open and the bomb (hopefully) falls away. Depending on aircraft loading (+ or- G's), that BDU can come back into contact with the plane and potentially become wedged or otherwise attached, however insecurely, to the plane. More likely, the hook (BDU-33 only uses 1 lug) unlocked but didn't open all the way, whether through damage or FOD or ice or some other obstruction.
There are special adapters which normally impart a bit of a spring effect, but their intended purpose is strictly stability.
In short, "Shit happens".

http://www.tpub.com/content/aviation/14024/css/14024_288.htm

[Elrathin]

I'm just glad that there were no injuries or death due to this, unlike that crane incident in New York.

Bottom line, government should pay the damages. No big deal and property can generally be replaced. Shit happens, but damages still need to be payed.

[GHJ]

I think this story is a hoax, but if it isn't, this pilot should be drummed out of the service, because he's obviously too fuckin' stupid to fly combat aircraft for The United States Military.

It's not a hoax. It was on TV and in the newspaper. There were even "pitchers" of the damage on TV and the front page of the local rag. Every government agency that could crowd people into the apartment grounds were there investigating the situation Reps from local, state, and federal were all over the place.

How can I be so sure of this? I live in Tulsa, that's how.

[preservanation]

I think this story is a hoax, but if it isn't, this pilot should be drummed out of the service, because he's obviously too fuckin' stupid to fly combat aircraft for The United States Military.

It's not a hoax. It was on TV and in the newspaper. There were even "pitchers" of the damage on TV and the front page of the local rag. Every government agency that could crowd people into the apartment grounds were there investigating the situation Reps from local, state, and federal were all over the place.

How can I be so sure of this? I live in Tulsa, that's how.
Thanks for the info, GHJ.
Welcome!

[Go Fish]

I'm just glad that there were no injuries or death due to this, unlike that crane incident in New York.

Bottom line, government should pay the damages. No big deal and property can generally be replaced. sh1t happens, but damages still need to be payed.

No argument here.

[GHJ]

I think this story is a hoax, but if it isn't, this pilot should be drummed out of the service, because he's obviously too fuckin' stupid to fly combat aircraft for The United States Military.

It's not a hoax. It was on TV and in the newspaper. There were even "pitchers" of the damage on TV and the front page of the local rag. Every government agency that could crowd people into the apartment grounds were there investigating the situation Reps from local, state, and federal were all over the place.

How can I be so sure of this? I live in Tulsa, that's how.
Thanks for the info, GHJ.
Welcome!

You're welcome. Thanks for the welcome to the board.