# Has Anyone On The Ground Ever Been Injured From a Botched Rocket Launch? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 9, 2023, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-on-the-ground-ever-been-injured-from-a-botched-rocket-launch/980934 "2023-03-09T15:38:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-on-the-ground-ever-been-injured-from-a-botched-rocket-launch/980934/21 "2023-03-11T17:47:22Z")
I posted on Reddit about the North Carolina atom bombs a few months ago. One is still there, guarded by a circle of trees. > **[r/interestingasfuck - This stand of trees in North Carolina guards the...](https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/comments/104ki0h/this_stand_of_trees_in_north_carolina_guards_the/)** > > 1,833 votes and 260 comments so far on Reddit ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-on-the-ground-ever-been-injured-from-a-botched-rocket-launch/980934/22 "2023-03-11T17:49:22Z")
And this atom bomb in South Carolina DID blow up, but did not go nuclear: > **[r/interestingasfuck - In 1958 an atomic bomb was accidentally dropped in a back...](https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/comments/106v2aa/in_1958_an_atomic_bomb_was_accidentally_dropped/)** > > 97 votes and 29 comments so far on Reddit ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2023, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-on-the-ground-ever-been-injured-from-a-botched-rocket-launch/980934/23 "2023-03-12T00:02:21Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Technically, Nedelin shouldn’t count, since it happened during some pre-launch tests and not during the launch. Parts of it launched. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2023, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-on-the-ground-ever-been-injured-from-a-botched-rocket-launch/980934/24 "2023-03-17T08:19:53Z")
Body parts… Too soon? ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-on-the-ground-ever-been-injured-from-a-botched-rocket-launch/980934/25 "2023-03-18T19:29:11Z")
[side note] I’ve done rocket _disposals_ large enough to require clearing overhead airspace. Unfortunately, however, local wildlife rarely tunes into air traffic control. This left some of those fabled jackelopes exposed to the instantaneous fury of 87,500 lbsTNT Eq. cookin’ off all at once. The remaining evidence is _“interesting”_ to say the least. [/side note] Tripler "Look Bob! More antlers and hooves over here . . . " ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-on-the-ground-ever-been-injured-from-a-botched-rocket-launch/980934/26 "2023-03-18T20:08:53Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > "Look Bob! More antlers and hooves over here . . . " It was before my time, but I’ve heard the story from people who were there about a near-sea-level (outside) motor static fire where a few seconds before motor ignition (after the TVC gas generator was fired, and too late to abort the firing without having to reprocess the motor) a rabbit hopped into view of the high speed camera focused on the motor plume. The motor ignited, and there was one frame where you can maybe see a blur flying out of frame; no other evidence was found (as you might expect). As they say, “You don’t want to stand there…” Stranger ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-on-the-ground-ever-been-injured-from-a-botched-rocket-launch/980934/27 "2023-03-20T00:18:58Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > And this atom bomb in South Carolina DID blow up, but did not go nuclear: > > [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/comments/106v2aa/in_1958_an_atomic_bomb_was_accidentally_dropped/) They missed the target structure by nearly 100 meters. Time to decertify that bombardier; he’s got no clue how to aim. 😉 > [@Tripler](#): > > Tripler > "Look Bob! More antlers and hooves over here . . . " I’d sooner expect antler flecks and hoof particles. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-on-the-ground-ever-been-injured-from-a-botched-rocket-launch/980934/28 "2023-03-20T00:20:11Z")
never mind. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-on-the-ground-ever-been-injured-from-a-botched-rocket-launch/980934/29 "2023-03-20T23:19:58Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > They missed the target structure by nearly 100 meters. Time to decertify that bombardier; he’s got no clue how to aim. 😉 That’s when I’d roll in. . . to _clean up the pilots’ mess_. Tripler Then force 'em to buy me a steak dinner, for _my mess_! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-on-the-ground-ever-been-injured-from-a-botched-rocket-launch/980934.md?page=1)