Kadena - Yokota
Flight / Schedule
Kadena - Yokota
Aircraft
Boeing KC-135 StratotankerRegistration
57-1444
MSN
17515
Year of Manufacture
1958
Operator
United States Air Force - USAFDate
May 18, 1966 at 12:00 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Kadena AFB Okinawa
Region
Asia • Japan
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On May 18, 1966 at 12:00 PM, Kadena - Yokota experienced a crash involving Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, operated by United States Air Force - USAF, with the event recorded near Kadena AFB Okinawa.
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, 12 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 109.1%.
Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 5, passengers on board: 6, passenger fatalities: 6, other fatalities: 1.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The aircraft was engaged in a special flight from Kadena AFB to Yokota AFB, carrying a spare engine to repair another KC-135 grounded at Yokota Airbase. During the takeoff roll, after a course of 2,100 meters, the crew started the rotation when the airplane stalled and struck the runway surface before taking off again. Once it reached the height of 100 feet, it stalled again and crashed in a huge explosion 100 meters to the left of the extended centerline and about 150 meters past the runway end. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed as well as one motorist on the ground.
Aircraft reference details include registration 57-1444, MSN 17515, year of manufacture 1958.
Fatalities
Total
12
Crew
5
Passengers
6
Other
1
Crash Summary
The aircraft was engaged in a special flight from Kadena AFB to Yokota AFB, carrying a spare engine to repair another KC-135 grounded at Yokota Airbase. During the takeoff roll, after a course of 2,100 meters, the crew started the rotation when the airplane stalled and struck the runway surface before taking off again. Once it reached the height of 100 feet, it stalled again and crashed in a huge explosion 100 meters to the left of the extended centerline and about 150 meters past the runway end. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed as well as one motorist on the ground.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
5
Passengers On Board
6
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
109.1%
Known people on board: 11
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Kadena - Yokota
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
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