Heavy Bomber Crash Near Sandia After Takeoff from Kirtland AFB (45-21854)

Accident Overview and Immediate Outcome Three minutes after departing runway 08 at Kirtland AFB, a heavy bomber lost control during initial climb. The aircraft crashed into a mountain slope near Sandia, approximately 5.7 miles east of the airbase, and was destroyed in a large explosion. All 13 crew members on board were killed. ## Onboard Weapon and Nuclear Material The aircraft carried a bomb fitted with detonators. During the crash, the bomb case was demolished, and some high explosive material burned in the resulting gasoline fire. Unburned high explosive fragments were found scattered across the wreckage. Four spare detonators in their carrying case were recovered undamaged. ## Recovery and Disposition The investigation reported no contamination or recovery problems. Recovered components of the weapon were returned to the Atomic Energy Commission. Although both the weapon and a capsule of nuclear material were aboard the aircraft, the capsule had not been inserted for safety reasons.