Artillery premature firing question

In this video from you tube the piece goes off as the soldier loads the shell.

Please excuse my ignorance, but any ideas how this typically happens? Does the shell cook off in the breach or is there a malfunction with the gun?



YouTube - soldier hit by own gun

 

I would say a hot breach could do it but I'm no expert.

 

A lot of artillery is electrically fire now. It looked like the round was fired as soon as the breach was completely closed. I'd suspect an electrical problem. However I'm not an expert at all.

 

That had to hurt alot. Poor guy.
The US Navy had a battleship whose turret exploded about 15 years ago and at first it was a cover up but then they said the powder was old and unstable.. I can't recall the battleship but I think it was used in the first Iraq war and Viet Nam then retired.
Perhaps the other forum members would know.

 

Things like that happen with other weapons too. Like this terrorist with a mortar

premature explosion kills terrorist*Video

LiveLeak.com - Terrorists Mortar Explodes Pre-Maturely

Or this RPG

Israel Matzav: Video: 'Good' terrorist from Fatah blows up in a 'work accident'

Rare Fatah Terrorist Video: Hamid Targets Israeli Armor, Blows Up Himself Instead | DBKP - Death By 1000 Papercuts - DBKP

Or this French Anti-Tank Missile

French Anti-Tank Missile Misfire - MotorcycleAddicts.org

 

The Iowa was the BB with the most recent turret accident. There were actually quite a few during the 20th century. Saw many of them listed on a thread on another forum some time ago.

I remember hearing of a mortar case in the US army where they were practicing very rapid fire and using 2 loaders. One dropped a round in the barrel before the previous round cleared it. Fortunately no deaths but some serious injuries.

 

Yes, the Iowa was the one with the turret explosion. A high school buddy of mine was on the decomissioning detail. In fact I got a letter from him telling me he was being transferred to her that was in transit when the accident occured!

 

I remember they gave a lame excuse that it was a gay couple who had a fight. Then about a year later or more it was thought the gun powder was unstable due to age but my memory could be wrong.