List of sunken nuclear submarines
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Eight nuclear submarines have sunk as a consequence of either accident or extensive damage: two from the United States, four from the Soviet Navy, and two from the Russian Navy. All sank as a result of accident with the exception of K-27, which was scuttled in the Kara Sea when repair was deemed impossible and decommissioning too expensive. All of the Soviet/Russian submarines belonged to the Northern Fleet.
[edit] United States
- Thresher (SSN-593), sank April 10, 1963 after a malfunction during deep-diving trials caused it to exceed crush depth
- Scorpion (SSN-589), sank May 22, 1968, cause unknown
[edit] Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
- K-27, irreparably damaged by a reactor accident May 24, 1968, scuttled in 1981
- K-8, lost April 8, 1970 while being towed in rough seas following a fire on board
- K-219, damaged in an explosion October 3, 1986, then sank suddenly while being towed after all crew had transferred off
- K-278 Komsomolets, destroyed by an onboard fire April 7, 1989
[edit] Russian Federation
- K-141 Kursk, sank August 12, 2000 with all hands lost after an explosion on board. See Russian submarine Kursk explosion.
- K-159, sank August 28, 2003 when a storm ripped away the pontoons necessary to keep the unseaworthy hull afloat under tow.
