The 1966 Palomares B-52 crash also known as The Palomares incident occurred on January 17, 1966, when a B-52G bomber of the USAF Strategic Air Command collided with a Tanker Jet during a standard mid-air refuelling at 31,000 feet (9,450 m) over the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Spain. The Tanker Jet was completely destroyed when its fuel load ignited, killing all four crew members. The B-52 Bomber broke apart, killing three of the seven crew members aboard.
The B52 was carrying and four Mk28 type hydrogen bombs the B-52G carried, three were found within days but a fourth one had seemingly dropped into the ocean over the Mediterraen Sea. After a 2 1/2 month search the US Military claimed to recover a missily at over 2,700 feet at the bottom of the ocean – looking brand new. In fact, below is the actual 4th missile the military claims it recovered.
Two of the nuke’s actually did spread radioactive plutonium all over Palomares, a small fishing & tourist village. Hundreds of people were affected and suffer to this day.
More info at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1966_Palomares_B-52_crash & http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2008/01/dayintech_0117
