Japan Airlines | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from Oita-Iki Airport, while in initial climb at a height of 150 feet, the airplane stalled and crashed. All six occupants were evacuated while the aircraft was destroyed. It appears the takeoff was attempted with one engine voluntarily inoperative. The crew apparently underestimated the aircraft performances and was overconfident.

Crash of a Douglas C-54-DO Skymaster in Osaka

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1962

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Operator:

Registration:

JA6003

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Fukuoka – Tokyo

MSN:

3115

YOM:

1942

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Fukuoka to Tokyo-Haneda Airport, the crew reported technical problems and decided to divert to Osaka-Itami Airport. The crew completed a wheels up landing and the airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. All 64 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4-1009 in Osaka

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1957

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-4

Operator:

Registration:

JA6011

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

42982

YOM:

1946

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff, while climbing to a height of 300 feet, the crew informed ATC that the engine number one exploded and received the permission to return for a safe landing. After completing a circuit, the captain realized it was not possible to reach the airport so he decided to attempt an emergency landing in a paddy field. The aircraft belly landed and slid for dozen yards before coming to rest in flames. All 57 occupants were able to evacuate the cabin before the aircraft would be totally destroyed by fire.

Probable cause:

Failure and explosion of the engine number one shortly after takeoff.

Crash of a Martin 202 on Mt Mihara: 37 killed

Date & Time: Apr 9, 1952 at 0807 LT

Type of aircraft:

Martin 202

Operator:

Registration:

N93043

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Tokyo – Osaka – Fukuoka

MSN:

9164

YOM:

1947

Location:

Mt Mihara (Oshima Island)

Kantō

Country:

Japan

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Tokyo to Osaka, while cruising about 100 km south of Tokyo in marginal weather conditions, the airplane christened 'Mokusei' (Jupiter) hit the slope of the Mt Mihara (volcano) located on the Oshima Island. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 37 occupants have been killed. Apparently, the airplane was off course at the time of the accident, most probably due to a navigational error on part of the crew.

Probable cause:

Although the Japanese government aircraft accident investigation committee conducted a thorough investigation, it encountered some difficulty because of the rejection by the Occupation authorities of a request from the committee to provide a tape recording of instructions to the distressed aircraft from the Haneda Airport control tower. As a result, the accident investigation was closed with the aviation agency's report that the probable cause was the pilot's operational error.