Eleven workers at the Textron Aviation east Wichita, Kan., plant were sent to the hospital with injuries early on December 27, 2019 after a nitrogen tank exploded. The former Beechcraft facility was severely damaged. No one has died at this time but reports say the injuries range in severity from minor to serious.
A three-inch nitrogen line ruptured at about 8:00 in the morning, which is suspected to be the cause of the explosion. The aircraft manufacturing facility partially collapsed. That facility housed the some of the company’s composite manufacturing operations and experimental aircraft fabrication. Witnesses said the explosion sounded like “a sonic boom.” Fortunately, at this time of year, the plant typically has only a few staff or workers on duty.