The Government Nuked North Carolina…Twice

Published on July 19, 2023
Duration: 15:50

This video by Brandon Herrera details the 1961 Goldsboro incident where a B-52 bomber carrying two Mark 39 nuclear bombs experienced a mid-air breakup over North Carolina. The narrative, enriched by declassified documents and guest commentary, highlights the critical failures in safety mechanisms that nearly led to a nuclear detonation. It serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks during the Cold War's 'Nuclear Age' and the frequency of 'Broken Arrow' incidents.

Quick Summary

The 1961 Goldsboro incident involved a B-52 bomber breaking up over North Carolina, dropping two Mark 39 nuclear bombs. Declassified documents reveal both bombs nearly detonated, with one having five of six safety mechanisms fail, highlighting the extreme risks of Cold War nuclear operations.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the North Carolina Nuclear Incident
  2. 00:52Cold War Context
  3. 01:57Operation Chrome Dome
  4. 05:13The 1961 Goldsboro Incident
  5. 06:18Mark 39 Bomb Specifications
  6. 07:14B-52 Fuel Leak and Emergency
  7. 08:48Crash and Bomb Recovery
  8. 10:09Declassified Safety Failures
  9. 12:23Unrecovered Bomb Core
  10. 14:02Historical Marker and Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened during the Goldsboro incident in North Carolina?

In 1961, a B-52 bomber carrying two Mark 39 nuclear bombs broke up mid-air over North Carolina. One bomb landed safely, but the other impacted the ground, and declassified documents revealed both nearly detonated due to critical safety mechanism failures.

What were the specifications of the Mark 39 nuclear bomb?

The Mark 39 nuclear bomb was a powerful weapon weighing approximately 6,500 lbs with a yield of 3.8 megatons, making it about 250 times more destructive than the Hiroshima bomb.

What was Operation Chrome Dome?

Operation Chrome Dome was a Cold War initiative where B-52 bombers armed with nuclear warheads flew continuous patrol routes around North America to ensure the U.S. could retaliate immediately if attacked by the Soviet Union.

How close was the Goldsboro incident to a nuclear detonation?

Declassified documents revealed that both Mark 39 bombs dropped during the Goldsboro incident came extremely close to detonating. One bomb had five out of six safety mechanisms fail, with only a single switch preventing a catastrophic event.

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