Tachikawa – Seoul
Flight / Schedule
Tachikawa – Seoul
Aircraft
Douglas C-124 Globemaster IIRegistration
51-0137
MSN
43471
Year of Manufacture
1951
Operator
United States Air Force - USAFDate
June 18, 1953 at 04:34 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Tachikawa AFB (Tokyo) Kanto
Region
Asia • Japan
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On June 18, 1953 at 04:34 PM, Tachikawa – Seoul experienced a crash involving Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, operated by United States Air Force - USAF, with the event recorded near Tachikawa AFB (Tokyo) Kanto.
The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
129 people were known to be on board, 129 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 7, crew fatalities: 7, passengers on board: 122, passenger fatalities: 122, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. The airplane was on its way back to Seoul, carrying 122 soldiers on leave and a crew of seven. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height of 1,000 feet, the pilot contacted ground and informed ATC about the failure of the engine number three. The crew received the permission to return for an emergency landing and the pilot-in-command completed a circuit to return. On final, he requested more power and fully extended the flaps when the aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion in a field located 5,6 km short of runway. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire consumed the wreckage for several hours. None of the 129 occupants survived. To date, this was the deadliest plane crash in History.
Aircraft reference details include registration 51-0137, MSN 43471, year of manufacture 1951.
Fatalities
Total
129
Crew
7
Passengers
122
Other
0
Crash Summary
The airplane was on its way back to Seoul, carrying 122 soldiers on leave and a crew of seven. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height of 1,000 feet, the pilot contacted ground and informed ATC about the failure of the engine number three. The crew received the permission to return for an emergency landing and the pilot-in-command completed a circuit to return. On final, he requested more power and fully extended the flaps when the aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion in a field located 5,6 km short of runway. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire consumed the wreckage for several hours. None of the 129 occupants survived. To date, this was the deadliest plane crash in History.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
7
Passengers On Board
122
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 129
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Tachikawa – Seoul
Operator
United States Air Force - USAFFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Asia • Japan
Aircraft Details
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