Region
Asia

Crash of a De Havilland DH.114 Heron 1B in Hōfu: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 23, 1962
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.114 Heron
Operator:
Registration:
JA6158
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Hiroshima - Hōfu
MSN:
14028
YOM:
1954
Location:
Hōfu
Chūgoku
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training mission from Hiroshima to Hōfu. While approaching Hōfu Airport, the four engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Ohira located 8 km northeast of the airfield. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune off Hachinohe: 10 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1962 at 1615 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
4621
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kanoya - Kanoya
MSN:
226-2005
Location:
Hachinohe
Tōhoku
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
While on a maritime patrol flight along the east Japanese coast, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea off Hachinohe. All ten crew members were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 1B in Hanamaki

Date & Time: Nov 14, 1961
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Registration:
JA5008
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Hanamaki - Hanamaki
MSN:
04430
YOM:
1953
Location:
Hanamaki
Tōhoku
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Hanamaki Airport. Following several circuits, the pilot started a new approach when, on final, the airplane stalled and crashed into the Tama River. Both crew members were rescued while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on final approach due the failure of both engines caused by a fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Vickers 744 Viscount in Osaka

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Vickers Viscount
Operator:
Registration:
G-APKJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tokyo – Osaka
MSN:
88
YOM:
1955
Location:
Osaka-Itami
Kansai
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
44
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Osaka-Itami Airport, at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the pilot-in-command made a last turn to the left to line up with runway 32 and started a steep descent. Passing over the runway threshold, the four engine airplane lost height and landed hard. On impact, the right main gear was sheared off and the airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. Nine occupants were injured and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the pilot-in-command who adopted a too high descent rate during the last segment and an improper flare.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver I off Kamaishi

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1961
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Toyo Menka Kaisha
Registration:
JA3111
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
1049
YOM:
1957
Location:
Kamaishi
Tōhoku
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed for unknown reason into the sea off Kamaishi. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Nagoya: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1960 at 1940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
JA5018
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nagoya – Tokyo
MSN:
6006
YOM:
1942
Location:
Nagoya-Komaki
Chūbu
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
35
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The C-47 just started the takeoff roll when it was struck by a Japanese Air Self Defence Force North American F-86 Sabre. Both aircraft went out of control and crashed. Five people on bord the C-47 were killed while the pilot of the F-86 was unhurt. Both aircraft were destroyed.

Crash of a Boeing 377 Stratocruiser 10-29 in Tokyo

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 377 Stratocruiser
Operator:
Registration:
N90941
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
15957
YOM:
1949
Location:
Tokyo-Haneda
Kantō
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
53
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane christened 'Clipper Australia' was approaching Tokyo-Haneda following an uneventful transpacific flight. While completing the approach check-list, after the gear were extended, three greens lights appears on the panel. When power was reduced prior to touchdown, the gear unsafe warning horn sounded and a red gear unsafe warning light illuminated. The captain first called for a go-around but noticed that the airspeed was too low. The gear was retracted quickly and a belly landing was carried out. While all 59 occupants were evacuated safely, the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130A Hercules at Ashiya AFB: 10 killed

Date & Time: May 20, 1959 at 1729 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Operator:
Registration:
57-0468
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Iwo Jima - Ashiya
MSN:
3175
YOM:
1958
Location:
Ashiya AFB
Kyūshū
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
For unknown reason, the four engine aircraft failed to land at Ashiya AFB and overshot. At the end of the runway, it stalled and crashed on several barracks. A crew member was killed while eight other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed. On ground, nine people were killed while several others were injured. The exact circumstances of the mishap remains unclear.

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation on Mt Ōyama: 8 killed

Date & Time: Sep 9, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
N6920C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Travis – Hickam – Wake Island – Tachikawa
MSN:
4822
YOM:
1957
Location:
Mt Ōyama
Kantō
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Travis AFB to Tachikawa AFB with intermediate stops at Hickam Field and Wake Island, carrying a load of various goods. While approaching Tachikawa AFB in poor weather conditions, the four engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Ōyama (1,252 metres high) located 24 km west of the airbase. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew continued the approach below the minimum safe altitude, maybe following a wrong altimeter setting.

Crash of a Douglas C-53-DO off Shimoda: 33 killed

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
JA5045
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Tokyo – Nagoya
MSN:
7336
YOM:
1942
Flight number:
NH025
Location:
Shimoda
Chūbu
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
28
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
33
Circumstances:
While cruising along the coast, the airplane crashed into the sea for unknown reason. The crew was unable to send any distress call. The airplane was lost and all 33 occupants have been killed. It was later reported by the Japanese Authorities that the aircraft was not equipped with life vests or dinghies.
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