Iwakuni - Iwakuni

On January 16, 1968 at 12:00 AM, Iwakuni - Iwakuni experienced a crash involving Lockheed P-3 Orion, operated by United States Navy - USN, with the event recorded near Iwakuni AFB Chugoku.

The flight was categorized as survey / patrol / reconnaissance and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a mountains crash site.

12 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 100.0%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 4, passengers on board: 8, passenger fatalities: 8, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. While returning to Iwakuni Airbase following a maritime patrol flight, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and a limited visibility due to snow falls. On descent, at an altitude of 6,200 feet, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Karnegeamori located few km southeast of the airfield. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 12 occupants were killed. For unknown reason, the crew was approaching the airbase at an insufficient altitude.

Aircraft reference details include registration 152144, MSN 185-5114, year of manufacture 1965.