9-Megaton Warhead Ejected, One Airman Killed in 1980 Arkansas Missile Explosion

In a critical Cold War incident, a Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile carrying a 9-megaton nuclear warhead accidentally exploded at its silo near Damascus, Arkansas, on September 19, 1980. The catastrophic event, triggered by a dropped wrench socket, resulted in the death of one Air Force airman and injuries to 21 others, though the warhead's safety mechanisms prevented a nuclear detonation. The incident highlighted the inherent dangers of maintaining the nation's nuclear arsenal.

The chain of events began on September 18, 1980, when Airman David P. Powell dropped an 8-pound socket during routine maintenance. The socket fell approximately 80 feet, piercing the missile's first-stage fuel tank, which contained highly volatile Aerozine 50. Despite immediate evacuation efforts and attempts to manage the escalating fuel leak, the hypergolic propellants ignited around 3:00 a.m. the following morning.

The powerful explosion ripped through Missile Complex 374-7, catapulting the 740-ton silo door 200 feet into the air. The W-53 nuclear warhead was ejected from the silo, landing approximately 100 feet from the complex's entry gate. While the warhead remained intact and did not release radioactive material, Senior Airman David Lee Livingston succumbed to injuries sustained from inhaling toxic oxidizer fumes.

Following the blast, then-Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton and President Jimmy Carter issued statements assuring the public that no nuclear material had been released and the situation was under control. Despite official reassurances, the incident, which Julian Fried described on social media as:

"That one time when a new tech butter-fingered a socket and accidentally launched a 9 megaton thermonuclear warhead in rural Arkansas" raised significant public concern about nuclear safety.

The Damascus accident, alongside previous incidents involving fuel leaks and casualties, intensified scrutiny of the Titan II missile program. These liquid-fueled ICBMs, while powerful, were known for their volatile propellants and maintenance challenges. The incident contributed to the eventual decision by the Reagan administration to begin decommissioning the Titan II fleet in 1982, with the last missile retired in 1987.

The destroyed silo site was never rebuilt and is now privately owned, serving as a stark reminder of the Cold War's nuclear risks. The 1980 Damascus explosion has since been extensively documented, notably in Eric Schlosser's book "Command and Control" and its subsequent documentary adaptation, underscoring the delicate balance of nuclear deterrence and operational safety.