>>11217679We all know about accidents which killed, injured, or threatened astronauts: Shuttle explosions, Soyuz decompression, Apollo 13. But what are some spaceflight accidents which killed or injured ground crew?
"The aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga delivered the Apollo 16 command module to the North Island Naval Air Station, near San Diego, California, on Friday, May 5, 1972. On Monday, May 8, 1972, ground service equipment being used to empty the residual toxic reaction control system fuel in the command module tanks exploded in a Naval Air Station hangar. Forty-six people were sent to the hospital for 24 to 48 hours' observation, most suffering from inhalation of toxic fumes. Most seriously injured was a technician who SUFFERED A FRACTURED KNEECAP* when the GSE cart overturned on him. A hole was blown in the hangar roof 250 feet above; about 40 windows in the hangar were shattered. The command module suffered a three-inch gash in one panel."
*emphasis mine. Ouch.
