PNO-IV-97-027, on 970512,notified NRC Operations Ctr of Loss of Two 8 Uci Am-241 Static Eliminator Sources Contained in Lantrin Pod Targeting Device in Vaughn,Nm.Air Force Continuing Investigation of Event

PNO-IV-97-027:on 970512,notified NRC Operations Ctr of Loss of Two 8 Uci Am-241 Static Eliminator Sources Contained in Lantrin Pod Targeting Device in Vaughn,Nm.Air Force Continuing Investigation of Event

ML20196G237
Person / Time
Site:	03028641
Issue date:	05/15/1997
From:	Hackney C, Leonardi R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
To:
References
PNO-IV-97-027, PNO-IV-97-27, NUDOCS 9705150340
Download: ML20196G237 (1)

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l May 15,1997 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-IV-97-027 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE )

safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially l received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by Region IV staff in Arlington, Texas on this date. i Facility Licensee Emeraency Classification U.S. Air Force Radioisotope Comm Notification of Unusual Event  !

Brooks Air Force Base Alert I 8901 18th Street Site Area Emergency San Antonio, Texas 78235-5217 General Emergency Dockets: 03028641 License No: 42-23539-01 AF X Not Applicable

Subject:

MISSING TWO 8-MICROCURIE STATIC ELIMINATOR SOURCES  !

On May 12,1997, at 9:30a.m. CDT, a member of the Air Force's Radioisotope 1 Committee notified the NRC Operations Center of the loss of two 8-microcurie americium-241 static eliminator sources contained in a Lantirn Pod (laser transmitter / receiver) targeting device that was on board an Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft that crashed 200 miles northwest of Cannon AFB, near Vaughn, New Mexico, on a private ranch on May 12,1997. The aircraft was based out of Cannon AFB. The closest i occupants live 4 miles from the crash site. A bioenvironmental engineer team from Cannon AFB conducted a preliminary survey of a portion of the Lantirn Pod found embedded in the soil, but were unable to verify that the two sources were in the Pod.

Cannon' AFB's current plan is to return to the crash site next week with Pod equipment i specialists who can identify various components contained in the Pod in an attempt to visually identify any remnants of the sources. However, an Air Force RIC member suggested that the sources may have been buried or consumed in the crash.

The Air Force is continuing its investigation of this event and willissue a 30-day report upon completion of its review.

Region IV has notified the State of New Mexico and the Office of State Programs Office of this information.  !

This information has been discussed with the licensee and is current as of 9:00a.m.,CDT, j May 15,1997.

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Contact:

CHARLES A. HACKNEY RICHARD A. LEONARDI (817)860-8267 (817)860-8187

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PNO-IV-97-027 PDR .

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