Hickam – Wake Island – Tokyo
Flight / Schedule
Hickam – Wake Island – Tokyo
Aircraft
Douglas C-124 Globemaster IIRegistration
50-0107
MSN
43245
Year of Manufacture
1950
Operator
United States Air Force - USAFDate
July 4, 1958 at 01:33 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Crash Location
Pacific Ocean All World
Region
World • World
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On July 4, 1958 at 01:33 AM, Hickam – Wake Island – Tokyo experienced a crash involving Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, operated by United States Air Force - USAF, with the event recorded near Pacific Ocean All World.
The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was flight at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.
9 people were known to be on board, 6 fatalities were recorded, 3 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 66.7%.
Crew on board: 7, crew fatalities: 4, passengers on board: 2, passenger fatalities: 2, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. While cruising by night, the crew informed ATC about technical issues with the number three and elected to feather the propeller. In the mean time, the captain decided to divert to Hickam Field. Thirteen minutes later, the crew reported he was unable to feather the propeller that was windmilling while the engine number three was losing oil. In such condition, the captain decided to divert to Johnston atoll closer from his position. Unfortunately, shortly later, a propeller detached from the engine number three and struck the ailerons, causing serious control difficulties. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted to ditch the airplane about 200 miles northeast of the Johnston atoll. Rescuers arrived twelve hours later and were able to evacuate three wounded crew members while the aircraft sank and six other occupants were killed.
Aircraft reference details include registration 50-0107, MSN 43245, year of manufacture 1950.
Fatalities
Total
6
Crew
4
Passengers
2
Other
0
Crash Summary
While cruising by night, the crew informed ATC about technical issues with the number three and elected to feather the propeller. In the mean time, the captain decided to divert to Hickam Field. Thirteen minutes later, the crew reported he was unable to feather the propeller that was windmilling while the engine number three was losing oil. In such condition, the captain decided to divert to Johnston atoll closer from his position. Unfortunately, shortly later, a propeller detached from the engine number three and struck the ailerons, causing serious control difficulties. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted to ditch the airplane about 200 miles northeast of the Johnston atoll. Rescuers arrived twelve hours later and were able to evacuate three wounded crew members while the aircraft sank and six other occupants were killed.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
7
Passengers On Board
2
Estimated Survivors
3
Fatality Rate
66.7%
Known people on board: 9
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Hickam – Wake Island – Tokyo
Operator
United States Air Force - USAFFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Region / Country
World • World
Aircraft Details
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