On March 2, 1965 the fifth of the R&D Atlas-Centaurs was launched form LC-36A but failed abruptly just after liftoff. The cause was determined to be the fuel (RP-1) pre-valve that apparently closed causing the booster engines to lose thrust thus allowing the fully loaded vehicle to impact the launcher assembly and break up releasing all the propellants of the Atlas stage creating a huge fireball of explosive force.

















