In around 18 BBY, Shuttle 135, approaching the facility in bad weather and low visibility, contacted the air traffic control room for assistance and was instructed by the Imperial weapons technicians on duty to keep to the flight path. The shuttle was, however, struck by lightning and went down in the jungle surrounding the base. Still connected to the control room, the trooper TK-343 asked for help as the stranded crew were attacked by a dryax, but chief scientist Royce Hemlock terminated the connection and told the technicians that anything outside the base perimeter was to be considered dead.