Fire Aboard USS Enterprise

Date: January 14, 1969 • Location: Ko Olina, United States

A major fire and series of explosions aboard the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Enterprise killed 28 sailors, injured 314 others, and destroyed 15 aircraft.

On January 14, 1969, a major fire and a series of explosions aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise off the coast of O'ahu, Hawaii, United States, led to the deaths of 28 sailors and injuries to 314 others. Additionally, 15 aircraft were destroyed in the incident. A Zuni rocket detonated under a plane's wing, causing a fire that touched off more munitions, blowing holes in the flight deck that allowed burning jet fuel to enter the ship. The cost of replacing the aircraft and repairing the ship cost over US$126 million.