Entertainment

Failed ‘Mythbusters’ Stunt Sends Cannonball Shooting Through a Calif. Home, Minivan!

The Discovery Channel reality TV show Mythbusters, which seeks to support or debunk popular myths and widely-held beliefs by recreating stunts and experiments, is busted. In a test that went awry Tuesday evening, a Mythbusters’ cannonball collided through a Dublin, Calif., family’s  home and minivan.

Mythbusters Misfires Cannonball into Calif. House and Minivan

According to the local KTVU news station, the cannonball was supposed to smash through a few barrels of water and a cinder block wall to slow it down. What ended up happening was a misfire that caused the ball to shoot down into a neighborhood below the hillside where the stunt was taking place.

Watch the local ABC News report:

KTVU has more on the story:

The projectile bounced in front of the house on Cassata Place, through the front door and up through the second floor before it finally exited through the back wall.

Then it flew over Tassajara Road and ricocheted off the roof of another house before smashing through the window of a minivan where it came to rest.

“I kind of looked inside and seen a big old cannonball. And I had just got out of the van five minutes earlier,” said Jasbar Gill, the owner of damaged van. “I‘m glad my kids weren’t inside the van. So lucky.”

Fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident.

Here is the AP News report with footage of the front door and comments from the minivan owner:

KTVU goes on to report that Mythbusters is deeply sorry over the misfire and said the bomb range where the test was taking place had been used for the show’s experiments many times before:

“They’re very sorry that this happened. And they have safety measures that are in place,” said [J.D. Nelson of Alameda County Sheriff's Department], who works as a consultant for the show, managing the tests run at the county bomb range. “They did have a misfire. And they have insurance for these kinds of things.”

[...]

“We never even had any kind of an incident let alone anything this terrible,” Nelson said.

The Daily Mail reports that earlier in the day, Mythbusters had tweeted the show was “working with heavy artillery“, but the posts were later removed.

Mythbusters Misfires Cannonball into Calif. House and Minivan

The Daily Mail reports that Mythbusters built a cannon similar to this one for its test. (Image via Daily Mail)

The bomb range is closed while an investigation as to what went wrong occurs, according to the Daily Mail.

This article has been updated since its original posting with new video.

Comments (158)

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  • mrsalvage2
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:13am

    Apparently, they proved a Myth, for the ball ricocheted off the barrels of water?

    Then again. Barrels have get surface tension when pressed together, in some ways higher than the tensel strength of steel. That explains a whole lot.

    Report Post » mrsalvage2  
    • Go Glenn
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 11:00am

      I don’t know the details but it sounds like the had a “miss aim” not a missfire.

      If the cannonball hit off center of the barrel it likely glanced off and that started the problem.

      Just for clarification……..”Barrels have get surface tension when pressed together, in some ways higher than the tensel strength of steel.” is not a correct statement………the barrels had a large mass that was meant to stop the ball by absorbing the energy. Has nothing to do with surface tension or tensile strength of steel.

      Report Post »  
  • beninferno
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:13am

    I really hope this wont hinder the show in continueing to show cool stuff

    Report Post » beninferno  
  • texasfarmer
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:02am

    There goes the insurance premiums.

    Report Post » texasfarmer  
  • Joshua7
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:59am

    Newt thinks that government can do too many things that it just can’t. I really don’t see the difference between him and Romney.

    As for Glenn, if you think he is holding the cup for Romney, you’re not listening very well.

    Report Post » Joshua7  
    • palerider54
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 11:34am

      Hey HAUSCHID, SP1223C, GARYM, JOSHUA7, how about staying on subject.

      SHEESH.

      Report Post »  
    • Carter John
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 2:59pm

      I wish we could report posts because of irrelevancy. Maybe then we can keep on track.

      Report Post » Carter John  
  • Perspective
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:58am

    This comes down to basic firearm safety. Never point a firearm towards something you don’t intend to shoot. Know that capabilities of your firearm. A .22lr bullet will travel a mile.

    Report Post » Perspective  
    • palerider54
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 11:25am

      Your right PERSPENTIVE, that is why I consider people who hunt squirrels with a 22 rife so dangerous and stupid.

      They are shooting up into tree limbs with absolutely no idea where the bullet is going to land.

      Report Post »  
    • comsense08
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 5:34pm

      Apparently never heard of a ricochet. I’m rather certain no one there aimed the cannon down range! I have always wondered when I watch the show, why the bomb squad has it’s range so close to residential areas! You can see the houses on certain scenes. As for bombs, you should NEVER be within range of any other structure, becuse you just never know, as they just found out!! Remember, “you will shoot your eye out!”.

      Report Post »  
    • Cotronix
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 7:38pm

      @palerider54, Huh? If I dropped a bullet onto your head from the sky, it would barely make a mark. You did say “up” into trees, right? Do you understand what “Terminal Velocity Increase” is?

      Report Post »  
  • goofyfoot2001
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:57am

    That’s real stucco though

    Report Post »  
  • garyM
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:56am

    So which one you going with , the alleged Teddy Roosevelt (Newt) or Jimmy Carter (Romney)
    Michelle Backmann will NOT be nominated. Beck is smart enough to know that. If he can ONLY get BROTHER Romney nominated he will say. OK, whether you wanted Romney, Newt, Backmann, Perry, OR RON PAUL we need to all join together and support Romney (Jimmy Carter) because we don’t want 4 more years of Obama! You watch and see if it don’t happen, that is if Beck convinces enough people to switche from Newt to Backmann, thus giving us Romney (Jimmy Carter)!

    Report Post »  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:55am

    So…. plausible?

    Report Post » biohazard23  
  • hauschild
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:54am

    Yes, Bachmann. It’s such an easy read.

    Report Post »  
  • JLGunner
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:51am

    oops

    Report Post » JLGunner  
    • goofyfoot2001
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:57am

      That’s real stucco though…

      Report Post »  
    • tommy_pete
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:02am

      “oops”. Best single word post I’ve read…

      Report Post » tommy_pete  
    • Carter John
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 2:54pm

      Well housing insurance just went up in that neighborhood.

      Report Post » Carter John  
    • lapua338shooter
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:37pm

      Hey!…. What happens when you pull this BOOOOMMM!!!!

      Uh – oh…. Anybody got Allstate’s phone number? I think we just had a visit from “Mayhem”….

      Report Post »  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 4:51pm

      Busted

      Report Post »  
  • sp1223c
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:51am

    I’ll stick with Bachmann, Beck is right,Newt is a Progressive! It’s BACHMANN not Backmann!!

    Report Post » sp1223c  
  • 666Sucks
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:49am

    I hear that when a hot cannonball connects with fecal matter from any species, regardless of the ball’s caliber, that it immediately vaporizes the obnoxious stench rendering it paletable to the human nose. To test this theory, next time, can you please point your cannon in the direction OF ANY STUPID OCCUPY GROUP!!!

    666Sucks  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:55am

      The leftys will be coming soon, to regulate cannons and destroy myth busters…

      Report Post »  
  • Captain Crunch
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:48am

    Too bad it wasn’t the White House downrange.

    Report Post »  
  • chickenfried
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:48am

    I’m lobbying my state legislature to have a concealed cannon carry permit starting now….that would be awesome.

    Report Post » chickenfried  
    • killertofu
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:55am

      The idea of a concealed cannon permit made my day. Thank you

      Report Post » killertofu  
    • Rainmaker NYC
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:20pm

      And, you can bet that some government bureaucrat will issue that permit.

      Report Post »  
  • djmaine
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:44am

    Hunters safety 101. Know what is beyond your target. I would assume the same or similar rule would be advisable with CANNONS.

    Report Post »  
  • hauschild
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:41am

    Newt is bad. Just look at his record – it’s lengthy.

    Can you people lay off the dope and wake up???

    Report Post »  
    • Carter John
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 2:58pm

      Unless that was Newts house I see no relevance, and there fore say you need an eye care check up.

      Report Post » Carter John  
  • Secret Squirrel
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:39am

    .
    The ratings will be “through the roof”!

    It’s my favorite show, glad no one was hurt.

    Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:48am

      It does show why for everyone they mention right off the start of the show for no one else to attempt the same stunts; figure that if Adam and Jamie are experts and still on occasion have such occur, in the manner where even law and safety officials monitor everything closer than dirt to dust. the danger is very real.

      Guess this myth is busted.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Jim & Donna
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:56am

      Yep. My family watches it all the time. At least when they are watching Top Shot, Auction Hunters, or American Pickers. I’ve got wierd kids.

      Report Post » Jim & Donna  
    • yanki161
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:59am

      Touche!

      Report Post » yanki161  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:33am

    I can so imagine their faces when that thing went off! I can’t wait for that one to air :P

    Report Post » KickinBack  
  • kimberlyjesus
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:33am

    Fortunate no one was hurt or killed. Does your insurance policy cover killing people? Put your money and time to better use. Get out and help the poor. Give them a home and the neccessities to live just like you have. That‘s what GOD’S word says. Your tv show will be a thing of the past next year anyway. Ha, Ha, Ha, no more tv for anyone because there will be no more power.

    Report Post »  
    • BIGJAYINPA
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:50am

      Kumbaya my Lord, Kumbaya…..Someone’s singing, Lord, Kumbaya….yea..yea…yea. Give it a rest.

      Report Post » BIGJAYINPA  
    • Jim & Donna
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:54am

      Try thinking instead of feeling for a change. The show inspires young people to be interested in science. My kids make up and try their own experiments at home. This may lead to them making excessive amounts of money. They may in turn decide to give to their church or the poor, but first they will support their own families instead of looking to idiots like you who want to give everything away. One question, when you have encouraged everyone to stop making money and give everything they have away who will support everyone then? The answer is my sons and I. We will work, provide for our own and a few more. That is what men do.

      Report Post » Jim & Donna  
    • webbees
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:07am

      why don’t you donate your laptop or desktop? spend the money you use on internet service to feed the hungry? judge not…..

      Report Post »  
  • cemerius
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:32am

    Like the show and watch it occasionally but, I am thankful that no one was hurt or killed in this incident! Those affected will most certainly have all their itmes fixed and go from there…….

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • flatdaddio
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:32am

    wish I had a cannon…

    Report Post »  
  • BIGJAYINPA
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:32am

    I bet they bought that cannon at a gunshow!!! We must take the necessary steps to outlaw private ownership of cannons!!! Cannons in the hands of irresponsable people are dangerous!! We need mandatory registration of ALL cannons. This is clearly the fault of the NCA (National Cannon Association) lobbyists derailing all respnsable cannon laws by scaring politicians…..Just Sayin’

    Report Post » BIGJAYINPA  
  • romadave
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:31am

    Wow! What fantastic advertising. I’ve pretty much GOT to watch this episode now.

    Report Post »  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:27am

    ooooopsey! Better rethink that one boys! Thank God no one was hurt!

    Report Post »  
    • comsense08
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 5:36pm

      Can’t they just hit “rewind” and pull the cannon ball back? Hehehehe

      Report Post »  
  • AZindependent
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:24am

    Accidental discharge, oops. Aren’t cannons illegal in Kalifornia?

    Report Post »  
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