Blame It on a Bug

Yes, Air Force Space Command investigators have determined that a large insect was responsible for the chain of events that led to a transport vehicle carrying non-nuclear Minuteman III ICBM components overturning in a rural area near Minot AFB, N.D., on Aug. 31. According to the findings of AFSPC’s accident investigation board, the large bug flew through the driver’s open window and landed on his back, causing him to become distracted and to fail to maintain control of the vehicle as he tried to remove the insect. The vehicle drifted to the right side of the gravel road on which it was travelling and its tires eventually went off the road’s right edge. It then began to tip over onto its right side and ultimately landed in a ditch. Total cost of the mishap, including vehicle recovery, is still being assessed. (AFSPC report)