Jettisoned Bomb Lands Close to Munitions Storage Area

Ogden, Utah An F-16 fighter pilot was forced to jettison his external fuel tanks and ordnance payload shortly after taking off from Hill AFB. The munitions payload dropped included at least one 500 bomb MK 82 series bomb (complete listing of payload dropped has not been released). The munitions were dropped onto an uninhabited area of the installation approximately a half-mile from Interstate 15.

The resulting explosion destroyed a small work shed near an area where ordnance is stored on the base's west side. The Air Force released a news announcement stating that all of the ordnance dropped has been accounted for and that no damage was done to the munitions in the nearby underground storage bunkers. No injuries were reported but the explosion did cause a power outage at the base. Interstate 15 was shut down for several hours as emergency crews and EOD responded to the scene.

Details on the exact mechanical problem or emergency that caused the pilot to jettison the fuel tanks and ordnance payload have not been released. Fuel tank and ordnance jettison procedures are standard safety protocols used by the military when emergencies such as onboard fires, engine burn-outs, and landing gear malfunctions occur.