Mechanic's Mistake Destroys Multi-Million Dollar Fighter Jet

With mechanics like these, who needs enemies? While servicing a fighter jet at a Belgian airfield, a mechanic accidentally fired a Vulcan cannon mounted on the aircraft and destroyed another F-16 jet that was on the tarmac (see images here). Authorities at Florennes airfield are investigating the Thursday incident, RTBF television reports, via Business Insider, with a colonel saying, "You can't help thinking of what a disaster this could have been."

Two mechanics were reportedly treated for hearing loss—the only injuries reported (notwithstanding the jets). Loaded with fuel, the F-16 hit by cannon fire burst into flames and was completely destroyed, Avio News reports, adding that two other jets were slightly damaged. About 30 firefighters were called to the scene, along with other emergency personnel, per the Telegraph. The Belgian F-16s are used to patrol NATO's frontier with Russia, according to Business Insider. Each one of the US-made aircraft costs millions of dollars. (More F-16 stories.)