LBC/IRN · London Broadcasting Company

Title

US bomber explodes over Oxfordshire homes

Genre

News report; Interview

TX Date

10 May 1989

Year of production

1989

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Duration

00:02:39

Description

Terrified villagers flooded police with calls during the night when the sky above a US nuclear base lit up with flames. A fireball erupted above Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire when an American F1-11 bomber suffered engine failure just after take-off. Fuel jettisoned from the crippled plane caught fire, but the pilot made a safe emergency landing. The bomber’s flight path would have taken it directly over many homes; Francis Wheen of the Defend Steeple Aston Committee, and local MP Tony Baldry express their concerns. Peter Russell reports.

Contributors

Tony Baldry; Peter Russell; Francis Wheen

Keywords

Aircraft; USA; Air accidents; Armed forces; Fires; UK; Military aircraft; England; Aviation; Explosions; Oxfordshire; Health and safety; Upper Heyford; Steeple Aston; Defend Steeple Aston Committee

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