Los Alamos labs accidently blows up building with cannon... DOH!

[richc]

http://www.pogo.org/pogo-files/alerts/nuclear-security-safety/nss-lanl-20091223.html

Los Alamos National Laboratory Researchers Accidentally Blow up Building with a Cannon

December 23, 2009


According to a Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Occurrence Report, “Shock and Detonation Physics Group researchers heard a loud unusual noise from Technical Area 15, Building 562 after firing a shot from a large-bore powder gun (LBPG).” The researchers accidentally blew a building apart at Technical Area-15, on December 16, 2009 while testing a gun which acts like a Civil War cannon.

While no one was hurt, sources advise POGO that there was over $3 million in damage to property. The explosion blew the doors off the building -- which is described in the report as, "two doors were propelled off the facility."

The Facility Operations Director "declared a management concern due to the significant facility structural damage incurred resultant of the shot." Parts of the cannon were found outside the building.

"I must say that this is a new twist in the long history of screw-ups by Los Alamos," said POGO’s Senior Investigator, Peter Stockton. “I have no idea in the world why they have a gun like this, let alone testing it.”


Founded in 1981, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is an independent nonprofit that investigates and exposes corruption and other misconduct in order to achieve a more effective, accountable, open, and ethical federal government.

 

[theGringo]

Coulda happened to anyone.

 

[FreeWillie]

I'm sorry but I can't stop laughing over this one.

 

[tele_mark]

An ND is an ND.

 

[Garys]

Does anyone else remember the opening scene from F Troop where they shoot down the look out tower with the cannon?

 

[justanotherparatrooper]

My mom always told me to take my loud toys OUTSIDE

 

[Bill Katt]

Whatever, doesn't POGO have some "OTHER" things that they should be looking into these days? So what if a "test" went a little bad.

 

[cekim]

Well, on the bright side, they have confirmed that it goes bang... No off to write the report...

 

[CRSIII]

Coulda happened to anyone.

Why I did it just yesterday.

 

[Blitz1]

Does anyone else remember the opening scene from F Troop where they shoot down the look out tower with the cannon?

Yup.

 

[SecondAmdFirst]

Christmas with a bang?

 

[Garys]

Well, on the bright side, they have confirmed that it goes bang... No off to write the report...

Were they trying to prove the "Big Bang" theory?

 

[F-Bobby]

Who woulda thought that when you ignite the powder you get an explosion. Why wasn't I informed of this discovery!?

 

[JustEric]

So what if a "test" went a little bad.

Isn't that the point of a test? If you knew it was going to perform perfectly 100% of the time, you wouldn't have to test it.

Some tests fail, some tests don't. 'Round these parts, we call this phenomenon "life."

 

[Kicker96FS]

I just can't get the picture out of my head of a bunch of men rolling on the floor laughing so hard they are crying after this happened.

 

[Eye5600]

UPDATE: “Despite claims to the contrary, the only thing ‘demolished’ in this case was POGO’s credibility. No building at Los Alamos was destroyed in this incident and any suggestion otherwise is the sort of irresponsible hyperbole we’ve come to expect from this group,” National Nuclear Security Administration spokesman Damien LaVera e-mails Danger Room.

Here are the facts: On December 16, Los Alamos conducted a standard proof test on a new design for a catch tank in the target chamber for one of our large bore powder guns (LBPG). These types of experiments are routine and responsible. The LBPG is used to conduct measurements of material properties at pressures needed for understanding nuclear weapons performance. During this particular test, unexpected explosive damage occurred and, because that damage could result in $1 million in damages, an investigation was automatically triggered. That investigation will seek to identify the cause of the incident and any changes in procedures that might be required. NNSA, Los Alamos, and all of our facilities take their commitment to safety very seriously. It is important to note that no personnel were injured from this event, no hazardous or radioactive materials were involved, and that lab’s incident response mechanisms appear to have performed as intended.”

 

[jhrosier]

Prolly one of them there Glock cannons.

Jack

 

[FiremanBob]

Why do official "explanations" or "corrections" always sound like cover-ups?

 

[strangenh]

Shock and Detonation Physics Group

“I have no idea in the world why they have a gun like this, let alone testing it.”

Yeah, I mean, why on Earth would a "Shock and Detonation Physics" team have a device designed to push projectiles using the shock wave from the detonation of powder?

 

[Pilgrim]

"I'm the only one here trained enough to fire this cannon."

 

[sleeplessknight]

"Hold my beer and watch this!"