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2nd opinion sought in Okla. errant bomb drop

OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma National Guard investigation into the errant drop of a dummy bomb from a fighter jet has indicated no human error or equipment anomalies were involved in the incident.

Maj. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, the adjutant general of Oklahoma, said an initial probe has indicated the 25-pound bomb simply fell off the F-16 jet as it flew over Tulsa on March 13. The bomb landed on an apartment complex there, damaging the foundation but causing no injuries.

Wyatt said the Oklahoma Guard is sending its findings to the director of the Air National Guard office in Washington, D.C. The state Guard also has sent the plane’s bomb ejector rack to Robins Air Force Base in Georgia for further examination.

The plane’s pilot and ground crew has been cleared after the initial investigation.

“We don’t think we missed anything, but that’s why we want a second opinion,” Wyatt said.

The state Guard has said the plane from the Oklahoma Air National Guard’s 138th Fighter Wing was en route to Smokey Hill Gunnery Range in Salina, Kan., on a routine mission, when, shortly after takeoff, one of six training bombs attached to the aircraft inadvertently released.

The pilot continued on to the gunnery range, unaware the bomb had detached.

Wyatt said state Guard planes flying out of Tulsa won’t carry any more dummy bombs until the reason for the mishap is determined.

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