Indicate the locations of casualties with respect to the weapon and the malfunctioning
item.
Describe the most probable path of fragments, the distance fragments were found from
the malfunction site, and their weight and appearance. Attach photographs, if available.
For nuclear or chemical items, describe the extent and type of contamination resulting
from the malfunction. Provide radiation readings, if applicable.
Indicate whether the weapon was operating normally just before the malfunction.
Describe the action of the weapon at the time of the malfunction.
Indicate whether there is evidence or other reason to believe that foreign objects could
have been blown into the bore when previous rounds were fired (pebbles, gravel).
Indicate whether there was any evidence of unburned powder or residue in the tube.
If the round detonated in the gun tube, indicate where in the tube the detonation
occurred: at the breech, at the muzzle, or in the middle of the tube.
Indicate whether the projectile reached the anticipated point of impact or intercept.
If the malfunction was a premature detonation, indicate whether it was a high-order or
low-order detonation.
A detonation is classed as an explosion. It is a chemical reaction that propagates so
rapidly that the rate of advance of the reaction zone into the unreacted material
exceeds the velocity of sound in the unreacted material. The rate of advance of the
reaction zone is termed "detonation rate" or "detonation velocity." When this rate of
advance attains such a value that it will continue undiminished throughout the
unreacted material, it is termed the "stable detonation velocity." When the
detonation rate is equal to or greater than the stable velocity of the explosive, the
reaction is termed a "high-order detonation."
A low-order detonation is a chemical reaction in a detonatable material in which the
reaction front advances with a velocity which is appreciably lower than that which is
the characteristic detonation velocity for the material in question. In a low-order
detonation, the ordnance case usually breaks into several large fragments rather
than many small ones.
Indicate the setting of the dual-purpose or time fuze.
For electrically-initiated ammunition or explosives, describe any nearby sources of
electrical or electromagnetic energy (power lines, generators, microwave towers, and
radar antennas). Include the power rating of the source and its distance from the
ammunition at the time of the malfunction.
Describe any nonstandard conditions, such as the use of more propellant than specified
for the weapon and round. Include any deviations from the instructions given in the
appropriate technical manuals.
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MM0159
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