Kadena - Yokota

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.