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Japan
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Okinawa

Crash of a Consolidated B-32-CF Dominator in Yontan AFB: 13 killed

Date & Time: Aug 28, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-32 Dominator
Operator:
Registration:
42-108544
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Aerial photography
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Yontan AFB
Okinawa
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
13
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion, killing all 13 crew members.
Crew:
Cpt Barnes, Pilot 12.
Probable cause:
It appears that one or more engine lost power just after rotation.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off Kerama Islands: 12 killed

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
59023
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
59023
Location:
Kerama Islands
Okinawa
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
While conducting a night maritime patrol flight, the seaplane apparently crashed into the Sea off the Kerama Islands. No trace of the aircraft nor the 12 crew members was found. It is believed the aircraft was shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off Kerama Islands: 12 killed

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
59145
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
59145
Location:
Kerama Islands
Okinawa
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
While conducting a night maritime patrol flight, the seaplane apparently crashed into the Sea off the Kerama Islands. No trace of the aircraft nor the 12 crew members was found. It is believed the aircraft was shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off Okinawa: 14 killed

Date & Time: May 31, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
59038
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
59038
Location:
Okinawa
Okinawa
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
14
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
While approaching Okinawa, the seaplane was shot down by Japanese fire and crashed into the Tsushima Strait, killing all 14 crew members.
Probable cause:
Shot down by Japanese fire.

Crash of a Douglas R5D-3 in Okinawa

Date & Time: Apr 9, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
50872
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
10558
YOM:
1945
Location:
Okinawa
Okinawa
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Okinawa-Yontan Airport, the four engine aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in flames. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Nakajima AT-2 on Uotsuri Island

Date & Time: Feb 5, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Nakajima AT-2
Operator:
Registration:
J-BBOT
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Fukuoka – Naha – Taipei
MSN:
6
YOM:
1936
Location:
Uotsuri Island
Okinawa
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Naha to Taipei, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and made an emergency landing on Uotsuri Island, in the Pacific. All 13 occupants were rescued the following day.

Crash of a Nakajima AT-2 off Kuba Island: 10 killed

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1938 at 0900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Nakajima AT-2
Operator:
Registration:
J-BDOH
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Fukuoka – Taipeh
MSN:
1418.1
Location:
Kuba Island
Okinawa
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
While cruising over the East China Sea, the crew encountered technical problems with an engine. The pilot elected to divert to Naha but eventually ditched the airplane off Kuba Island, Okinawa. Two passengers were rescued while 10 others occupants were killed. The aircraft named 'Fuji' was lost.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.
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