Chūgoku | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While descending to Iwakuni AFB in poor weather conditions, the seaplane hit the slope of a mountain and crashed on the Okurokami Island located about 15 km east of the airfield. All 12 crew members were killed.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off Iwakuni AFB: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Martin PBM Mariner

Operator:

Registration:

84663

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Iwakuni - Iwakuni

MSN:

84663

Location:

Country:

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Circumstances:

The crew was performing a local training sortie at Iwakuni AFB. While over the Aki-nada Sea, the aircraft suffered an engine failure. The pilot in command lost control of the airplane that crashed into the sea few km off the airbase. All six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas A-26B-50-DL Invader in Iwakuni AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 30, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-26 Invader

Operator:

Registration:

44-34253

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

27532

YOM:

1944

Location:

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Region:

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On final approach to Iwakuni AFB, the aircraft went out of control and crashed three km short of runway threshold, killing both crew members who were returning to Japan following a mission in Korea.
Crew:
1st Lt Karl E. Gallagher Jr.,
Maj Joseph H. Stein.

Crash of a Douglas A-26B-50-DL Invader off Iwakuni AFB: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-26 Invader

Operator:

Registration:

44-34218

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

27497

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Pax on board:

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Circumstances:

On approach to Iwakuni AFB, while returning from the Korea War Front, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea few km off shore. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the loss of control was caused by a fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando in Iwakuni AFB: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

44-78257

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Supply

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Daegu - Iwakuni

MSN:

33653

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

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Circumstances:

On final approach to Iwakuni AFB, the aircraft was too low and hit the slope of a mountain 6,5 km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all three crew members were killed. They were returning to Japan following a supply mission in Daegu, South Korea.

Crash of a Douglas A-26C-45-DT Invader near Iwakuni AFB: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 27, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-26 Invader

Operator:

Registration:

44-35771

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

29050

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Pax on board:

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, an engine failed. The captain ordered his crew to bail out and tried an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in flames onto a house located about 8 km northwest of the airbase. The three crew members who bailed out were uninjured while the pilot was killed and also three people in the house.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-20-CU Commando in Iwakuni AFB

Date & Time: Sep 27, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

XT-862

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

22351

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

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Circumstances:

After touchdown in Iwakuni AFB, the aircraft went out of control and veered off runway to the right. While contacting soft ground, the undercarriage were sheared off and the aircraft slid for several yards before coming to rest with its left wing crumpled. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

After landing, the copilot inadvertently opened the right throttle and left cowl flap instead of both cowl flaps.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-55-BN Superfortress off Dōgo Island: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Boeing B-29 Superfortress

Operator:

Registration:

44-61923

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

11400

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

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Circumstances:

The crew was taking part to a bombing mission in the Korean War and was enroute to Korea with a load of bomb on board. While cruising in a formation of several B-29 bombers, the crew encountered an engine failure and the captain decided to return to his base. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, it was decided to jettison the bombs. A 500 pounds bomb hung up in the racks and while attempting to release the bomb, it detonated either within the bomb bay or immediately beneath the belly of the plane. Out of control, the aircraft christened 'Hoxie's Hoax' crashed into the Japan Sea off the Dōgo Island. Seven crew members were killed while five others were rescued in their dinghy about two days later.
Crew (325th BS):
S/Sgt Gilbert Bear,
1st Lt Neil A. Chapman, †
S/Sgt Claude M. Engler Jr., †
Cpt Thomas Hoxie,
S/Sgt Jesse M. Hughes, †
Cpt Leo F. McGeough, †
1st Lt Donald D. Miller,
S/Sgt Robert R. O'Daniel Jr., †
Cpt Allan Thomas,
Cpl Jerry Ursini, †
Sgt Harrison Utz,
S/Sgt Kenneth P. Wallan. †

Probable cause:

Detonation of a bomb.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth off Tohaku

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1932

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth

Operator:

Registration:

J-BBAA

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Matsue – Osaka

MSN:

2221

YOM:

1932

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Matsue to Osaka, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea few dozen metres off Tohaku, Tottori prefecture. The pilot was rescued and the aircraft sank and was lost.