Emergency Crews Respond to Morning Explosion

(Sedgwick County, Kan.) – Around 8 a.m. this morning an explosion occurred at Textron/ Beechcraft Plant 3. Emergency crews from Wichita and Sedgwick County, including a Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) team arrived on scene, secured the area, and began triaging patients. There were 15 injuries, one of which was potentially serious. There were no fatalities.

Fire crews conducted building assessments and examined structural integrity of the building. The HAZMAT team assessed and monitored nitrogen lines and venting.

Working in collaboration with Textron Aviation, all employees, contractors, and visitors have been accounted for.

By noon, emergency crews began demobilizing. Once the second line finished off-gassing there was another search of the facility before returning it back to Textron Aviation.

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office will remain on scene.  

A three-inch nitrogen line was ruptured which impacted Plant 3 only. A second vessel was damaged and venting nitrogen gas. Plant 3 houses composite manufacturing and experimental aircraft fabrication.  

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