Mars Bluff B-47 nuclear weapon loss incident

On March 11, 1958 a U.S. Air Force B-47 Stratojet with a nuclear payload, which did not have its fissile nuclear core installed at the time of the accident, left for nuclear training exercises for war preparations in the United Kingdom and South Africa.

 

While attempting to secure the weapon after a warning light went on in the cabin, the navigator mistakenly caused it to be released, and it crashed onto the bomb bay doors, opening them and continuing downward. Although the bomb was not armed with its nuclear core (which was stored separately on the plane), it contained several tons of high explosives.

 

Upon impacting with the ground, these high explosives detonated caused a large explosion, creating a crater estimated to be 75 feet (23 m) wide and 25–35 feet (7.6–10.7 m) deep. It landed approximately 50 yards from the house and garage of Walter Gregg.

 

The blast injured Gregg, his wife, his three children, and his niece. It destroyed his house, damaged several other nearby houses and a church, and killed Gregg's chickens. The site is located near US 301, but is difficult to access due to the site being on private property. Fragments of the bomb are on display at Florence County Museum.

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Specimens delivered with certificate of the finder, that was allowed to search on the site

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