Two falling nukes almost obliterated North Carolina in the 1960s

Two falling nukes almost obliterated North Carolina in the 1960s
(Image credit: Julian Herbert/Getty Images)

Two nuclear bombs plummeted from a splintering B-52 bomber in January 1961 and plopped down outside Goldsboro, North Carolina, according to newly-declassified government documents. And though the plane's disintegration triggered the "fuzing sequence" in both weapons, neither went off because of miraculous technical issues.

One bomb was missing pins necessary for detonation, but only because they were ripped out in the crash. The other — whose parachute failed to deploy — slammed into the ground, initiating the explosion sequence but simultaneously damaging another part necessary for detonation.

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Jon Terbush

Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.