U.S. B-1 Bomber Crashes Into Indian Ocean: Pentagon

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 13, 2001

U.S. B-1 Bomber Crashes Into Indian Ocean: Pentagon

A U.S. Air Force B-1 bomber crashed into the Indian Ocean when returning from a bombing mission in Afghanistan and all the four crew aboard have been rescued, the Pentagon said.

A U.S. Air Force B-1 bomber crashed into the Indian Ocean when returning from a bombing mission in Afghanistan and all the four crew aboard have been rescued, the Pentagon said.

The plane wen down about 48 kilometers north of Diego Garcia, a British-controlled island in the central Indian Ocean.

U.S. aircraft have been flying missions from the island to carry out military strikes against Afghanistan.

The reason for the accident remained unknown.

About B-1B Bomber

A long-range bomber which can fly around-the-world missions. First built to carry nuclear bombs, now used to unleash conventional bombs. First used in combat to supoort operations against Iraq in 1998.
Wingspan: 137 feet, with wings extended forward; 79 feet with wings swept back
Length: 146 feet
Speed: more than 900 mph
Range: Intercontinental
Weapons: Up to 80 conventional bombs, 30 cluster bombs, 24 guided "smart" bombs
Cost: $ 200 million