Country
Japan
code

Okinawa

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-4 Neptune off Naha: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
124227
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Naha - Naha
Location:
Naha
Okinawa
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
13
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Naha Airport runway 36, while in initial climb, the aircraft banked right and crashed into the sea about one km north of the airfield. Eleven crew members were seriously injured while two others were killed. It appears that the pilot in command lost control of the aircraft when the right engine failed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine shortly after rotation.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-65-BN Superfortress in Kadena AFB

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Operator:
Registration:
44-62152
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
11629
YOM:
1944
Location:
Kadena AFB
Okinawa
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-70-BN Superfortress off Kadena AFB: 8 killed

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Operator:
Registration:
44-62279
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
11756
YOM:
1944
Location:
Kadena AFB
Okinawa
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The heavy bomber left Kadena AFB for the Korea War theater. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the engine number one developed trouble and the aircraft was too heavy to return immediately to Kadena for a safe landing. The crew decided to jettison some of the bombs stored in the bomb bay to light the aircraft. Although the bombs were dropped in a safe condition, some of them exploded while impacting the sea. Fragments severely damaged the airplane to the extent that it was necessary to ditch in the sea about five miles from the end of the runway. Eight crew members were killed while three others were injured.
Probable cause:
Failure of the engine number one.

Crash of a Boeing B-29-50-MO Superfortress in Kadena AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Operator:
Registration:
44-86328
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Kadena AFB
Okinawa
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff for unknown reasons. A crew member was killed while ten others were rescued. Two rescuers also died during the rescue operations.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-25-BN Superfortress off Kadena AFB: 8 killed

Date & Time: Sep 8, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Operator:
Registration:
42-94072
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
7479
YOM:
1942
Location:
Kadena AFB
Okinawa
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances five miles off Kadena AFB, Okinawa, and sank by 200 feet. Three crew members were rescued while eight others were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-54D-15-DC Skymaster in Kadena AFB

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
43-17221
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
22171
YOM:
1945
Location:
Kadena AFB
Okinawa
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On landing, went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in flames. There were no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-5-CU Commando in Naha: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
44-77335
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
32731
YOM:
1944
Location:
Naha
Okinawa
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Naha Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed. Six passengers were killed while 16 other occupants were injured.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off Chimu Wan NAS: 12 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
84617
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Chimu Wan - Chimu Wan
MSN:
84617
Location:
Chimu Wan NAS
Okinawa
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Chimu Wan NAS, while climbing, the Mariner collided with a USAAF Grumman J2F Duck and crashed into the Bay. All 12 crew members were killed.
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