During routine maintenance of a liquid-fuelled ICBM, the fuel tank is penetrated by a falling spanner. The film traces the efforts of the maintenance crew and associated military and civilian personnel to recover the potentially disastrous situation before the fuel tank is sufficiently depressurised that the stack collapses and explodes.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Ray BakerCol. Chadwick | Col. Chadwick |
 Peter BoyleGen. Sanger | Gen. Sanger |
 Patricia CharbonneauKathy Fitzgerald | Kathy Fitzgerald |
 Perry KingMaj. Hicks | Maj. Hicks |
 Michael O'KeefeSgt. Mike Fitzgerald | Sgt. Mike Fitzgerald |
 Joe SpanoSgt. Swofford | Sgt. Swofford |
 Dennis WeaverSheriff Ben Harlen | Sheriff Ben Harlen |
 Joe UrlaPepper Martinelli | Pepper Martinelli |
 Brent JenningsA.C. Jones | A.C. Jones |
 Christian ClemensonColonel Brandon | Colonel Brandon |
 Ken JenkinsClarence | Clarence |
 Maureen TeefyPenny Travers | Penny Travers |
 Jack KehlerColonel Canby | Colonel Canby |
 Olivia BurnetteJennifer Fitzgerald | Jennifer Fitzgerald |
| JJustin BurnetteT.J. Fitzgerald | T.J. Fitzgerald |
| JJace KentSergeant Frank | Sergeant Frank |
| LLisa SchneblyGale Hunter | Gale Hunter |
 Raleigh BondFarmer | Farmer |
 Marianne MuellerleileMatilda Recer | Matilda Recer |
 Lisle WilsonRadio Controller | Radio Controller |
| TTom RolfingDoctor | Doctor |
 Tony NoakesAirman | Airman |