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December 22, 2001

The B-1B bomber that crashed near Diego Garcia was the victim of an engine fire. Even after fuel was shut off to the affected engine, the fire continued to burn, steadily knocking the bomber's various systems out of operation. While trying to get back to base (the plane was about an hour out on a trip to Afghanistan) the fire eventually knocked out the controls, sending the plane out of control. While the ejection was unusually violent, the crew suffered only minor bruises.--Stephen V Cole