Iwo Jima - Tachikawa
Flight / Schedule
Iwo Jima - Tachikawa
Aircraft
Douglas C-124 Globemaster IIRegistration
51-0149
MSN
43483
Year of Manufacture
1951
Operator
United States Air Force - USAFDate
November 20, 1955 at 06:59 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Iwo Jima All Japan
Region
Asia • Japan
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On November 20, 1955 at 06:59 PM, Iwo Jima - Tachikawa experienced a crash involving Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, operated by United States Air Force - USAF, with the event recorded near Iwo Jima All Japan.
The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
11 people were known to be on board, 11 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 9, crew fatalities: 9, passengers on board: 2, passenger fatalities: 2, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. The aircraft was engaged in a flight from Iwo Jima to Tachikawa, carrying two passengers, nine crew members and a load of various goods for a total weight of 24,892 lbs. After a run of 3,500 feet on runway 07, the four engine aircraft rotated and continued to climb to a height of 100 feet when it banked to the left, causing the left wing tip to hit the ground. Out of control, the airplane crashed in a huge explosion and disintegrated on impact. A passenger survived while all ten other occupants were killed. Sixteen days later, on December 6, the only survivor died of his injuries.
Aircraft reference details include registration 51-0149, MSN 43483, year of manufacture 1951.
Fatalities
Total
11
Crew
9
Passengers
2
Other
0
Crash Summary
The aircraft was engaged in a flight from Iwo Jima to Tachikawa, carrying two passengers, nine crew members and a load of various goods for a total weight of 24,892 lbs. After a run of 3,500 feet on runway 07, the four engine aircraft rotated and continued to climb to a height of 100 feet when it banked to the left, causing the left wing tip to hit the ground. Out of control, the airplane crashed in a huge explosion and disintegrated on impact. A passenger survived while all ten other occupants were killed. Sixteen days later, on December 6, the only survivor died of his injuries.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
9
Passengers On Board
2
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 11
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Iwo Jima - Tachikawa
Operator
United States Air Force - USAFFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Asia • Japan
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Nakajima Aircraft Company
Nakajima N36
The single engine departed Tokyo on its second test flight, carrying eight crew members, engineers and pilots. The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all eight occupants. The first test flight has been completed the day prior to the accident.
Private Japanese
Junkers A.50
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Shinchi, northeast of Fukushima. Occupant's fate unknown.
Hochi Shimbun
Junkers A.50
The pilot Seiji Yoshihara was attempting a second non stop flight from Tokyo to Los Angeles on this single engine aircraft owned by Hochi Shimbun. While flying off Nemuro, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the Nemuro Bay. While the pilot was rescued seven hours later, the aircraft sank and was lost. A first attempt to cross the north Atlantic ocean from Tokyo to Los Angeles failed last 14 of May when the aircraft crashed into the sea some 40 miles off the Kurile Islands.
Francis Charles Chichester
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
After takeoff, the single engine airplane collided with power cables and crashed in the Katsuura Bay. The pilot was seriously injured.
Japan Air Transport
Dornier Do J Wal
En route, the crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing and to ditch the airplane off Yawata. Upon landing, the seaplane disintegrated. Four crew members were killed and a fifth was injured.
Asahi Shimbun
De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth
En route from Matsue to Osaka, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea few dozen metres off Tohaku, Tottori prefecture. The pilot was rescued and the aircraft sank and was lost.