B-52 lost an engine, literally - Curt Lewis

Mystery as engine drops out of B-52 bomber during Air Force training mission over wildlife refuge in North Dakota

• The engine landed in an unpopulated area northeast of Minot Air Force Base
• Air Force officials said there's no threat to public safety and an investigation is under way
• No weapons were on board and no injuries have been reported
• The bomber's five-member crew were able to land the plane safely

An engine dropped out of a B-52 bomber during a training mission at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota.

The Air Force confirmed that one of the aircraft's eight engines dropped mid-flight for an unknown reason on J Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge land, located near Upham in Bottineau County, and is buried in snow in a river bed.

Air Force officials sent a helicopter to recover engine debris, which was found located in an unpopulated area about 28 miles northeast of Minot Air Force Base, an Air Force spokesperson told MyNDNow.com.

One of eight engines dropped out of a B-52 bomber for an unknown reason

The incident occurred during a training flight at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota (pictured)

BOEING B-52 FACTS AND FIGURES
First flight: 1952

Length: 159 feet, 4 inches

Wingspan: 185 feet

Speed: 650 mph

Range: 8,800 miles without refueling

Armaments: 31,500 kilograms of ordnance, which can include bombs, mines and missiles

Crew: Five

Inventory: 58 active, 18 reserve

Cost: US$84 million

Source: US Air Force

The bomber's five-member crew declared an in-flight emergency when the pilot discovered that an engine had dropped, an Air Force spokesperson said.

They were able to land the plane safely back at the base.

There were no weapons on board the bomber, and no injuries have been reported relating to the incident, which remains under investigation, according to the Air Force.

Col. Matthew Brooks, commander of the 5th Bomb Wing, established a safety investigation board to determine what caused the incident, according to Military.com.

The Boeing-manufactured bomber has been in use since 1952 and is expected to remain operating until 2040, when it'll be replaced by the Northrop Grumman's B-21.

There are 76 B-52's in the Air Force's inventory and are among the oldest in the fleet.

The B-52 was developed to carry nuclear weapons and has been adapted over the years. It's been used in missions from Vietnam War to Afghanistan.