The explosion of the final Titan IVA and the destruction of the satellite it was carrying, at a cost of $1.44 billion, after launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on 12 August, 1998, was caused by a frayed electrical harness. The damaged harness was in the electrical system which routed power to the vehicle's guidance system. With the supply of electricity interrupted by an electrical short as vibration in the booster increased, the guidance system malfunctioned and caused the launcher to pitch over, triggering the automatic destruction system (just as the payload fairing (pictured left) began to separate. Forty-four wiring defects on other harnesses had been found before the launch. The US Air Force does not know when Titan IV launches will resume, but two Titan IVBs are on pads at the Cape.
Source: Flight International