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minnesotasmith
10-23-2004, 15:32
I put this as Off-Topic BC it wasn't clear to me if this happened on the AT or just another trail nearby. Anyone else know more about this news item?
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http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBH5Z95O0E.html

Military Fighter Jet Drops Errant Bomb on Hiking Trail; No One Injured
The Associated Press http://media.tbo.com/tbo/images/spacer.gif
Published: Oct 23, 2004 http://media.tbo.com/tbo/images/spacer.gif

http://media.tbo.com/tbo/images/spacer.gif
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. (AP) - Military officials are investigating why a jet fighter accidentally dropped a 25-pound practice bomb on a hiking trail a mile from its intended target in southeastern Pennsylvania.


No one was injured when the grapefruit-sized bomb fell on the trail Oct. 13 during a training mission for a pair of A-10 Thunderbolts. The bomb created a crater about 6 inches wide in the trail.

The plane that dropped the bomb was assigned to the 111th Fighter Wing at Willow Grove Naval Air Station, said Col. Chris Cleaver, spokesman for Fort Indiantown Gap, an 18,000-acre military training site managed by the Pennsylvania National Guard.

The plane has been grounded while officials investigate what caused the bomb to drop incorrectly. Investigators have already ruled out pilot error as the cause, Cleaver said.

The National Guard has been seeking permission to acquire 2,100 acres of Pennsylvania Game Commission land to act as a buffer zone for a new tank range. The base is located about 25 miles northwest of Harrisburg.

AP-ES-10-23-04 1505EDT

slatchley
10-23-2004, 16:08
This would make for an interesting hike
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6313239/
never mind. I didnt see the other thread on the same subject

Jack Tarlin
10-23-2004, 16:25
Prior to this, getting bombed in Pennsylvania usually involved the Doyle Hotel.

Geez, I know some folks have problems with Southbounders, but it appears
that the 111th Fighter Wing is taking this sentiment to extremes.

Or perhaps an overly enthusiastic puritan in the Air Guard heard that someone was enjoying an illicit beverage in the woods, and decided to rectify the situation.

In any case, interesting story, and just ANOTHER reason to make good time in PA!

Peaks
10-23-2004, 18:56
Talk about hazards along the trail! Just what type of a warning should be posted?

Lone Wolf
10-23-2004, 19:01
WARNING! Stray training bombs may fall in this area. It's the price you pay for your freedom.

TakeABreak
10-24-2004, 03:46
I wander why there is only a 1 mile buffer between the target and the A.T., that is a little close for me. Remember the old saying close only counts in horse shoes, bombs and hand grenades.

The whole wouldn't bother me if it hit Elwood or Saved, but I still think this is too close.

orangebug
10-24-2004, 07:48
Exactly, why would there be only a 1 mile distance between a bombing range and any civilian activity? We are talking about only a handful of seconds of flight time.

Something about this story seems suspicious.

-MYST-
10-24-2004, 08:15
The article doesn't say that it was the AT just says it was a hiking trail. Does anyony know for sure what trail they are talking about? Also you would think a "bomb" would leave a bigger crater than 6". Is that a mistype?

orangebug
10-24-2004, 09:24
Maybe it was a grapefruit.

Lobo
10-24-2004, 09:32
The AT near Indiantown Gap Military Reservation follows the ridge of Sharp Mountain, 1.5 miles north of the Gap, and is known as "St. Anthony's Wilderness". About 3/4 mile south of the AT and 3/4 mile north of Indiantown Gap there is an orange-blazed trail that follows an old rail bed. It is along this trail that the cast-iron round, labeled "Bomb Dummy Unit 33" was found after an individual said he heard something hit the ground. A short section of the Horseshoe Trail also is located in this area.

gmu
10-24-2004, 16:58
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/US/10/24/errant.bomb.ap/index.html

the ap article doesn't specify the location but while on trail this summer near duncannon a group of us ate lunch while a-10 jets circled the mtn. we were on. it's possible this could be related. anyone know?

Rambler
10-24-2004, 21:40
Boy, I would be worried about that "six inch crater" !

Jersey Bob
10-25-2004, 08:33
at least 10 characters

Sarge
10-25-2004, 08:46
The bomb was probably a BDU-33 practice bomb. We used to carry them all the time on F-111's, F-15's, and F-16's while I was an Air Force mechanic. They're a little bigger than a grapefruit. They're actually about the size of a two liter soda bottle. They don't contain an explosive charge, but rather a small spotting charge about the size of a shotgun shell so they can be spotted upon impact and scored for accuracy. They don't actually explode so they wouldn't really create a big crater. I'm still curious also if it was actually the AT where this occurred.

Sarge