Said Lt Col decided to give his wife some solvent to clean the toilet in their assigned base housing. Which she did use, to a sparkling effect.

Later that day the Lt Col decided he needed to contemplate the universe on said toilet, complete with a cigarette. At the conclusion of his meditations he decided to terminate his smoke by throwing the still lit butt between his legs into the bowl below.

The butt ignited the solvent fumes, and his butt, causing the commode to explode underneath him. His exploits where chronicled in the old Tactical Air Command safety magazine, TAC Attack, complete with an illustration of a gentleman in a flight suit with a toilet seat hung around his neck.

Around this same time, Lt Col Brilliant while cleaning his shower decided to mix bleach with the cleansing powder. The resulting chlorine gas emissions damaged his lungs enough to ground him from flight status for a couple of weeks.

Submitted on 01/26/2009

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: TAC Attack, mid 1980s

Copyright © 2009 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Given that this guy got into trouble not once but twice by not understanding the consequences of playing with various chemicals I'll vote for a PA. Thanks for the story.

Candi said:
Definitely Toss: Urban Legend
This is an updated version of an urban legend. The addition of names is typical of modernizing certain ULs. Plus, the Mythbuster tested this on one of their first shows and proved that, under the stated circumstances, triggering an explosion is all but impossible. Sorry, and submit again!

James said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Since this was apparently documented, I will buy it as a PA! Furthermore, the latter incident happens frequently enough, but one would not expect it from a commanding officer! Thanks!

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