Iwakuni AFB | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Following a maritime patrol flight, the crew attempted to land at Iwakuni AFB when, on final approach, the crew encountered strong cross winds. While landing on rough seas, the seaplane went out of control and sank few hundred yards off shore. Four crew members were killed while ten others were rescued.
Crew killed were:
Ad3 William M. Beckett,
Aoan Franklin D. Gaut,
Alc John M. Lindsey Jr.,
Atan Dale A. Poole.

Crash of a Consolidated PB4Y-2S Privateer on Atata Island: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jul 27, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer

Operator:

Registration:

59992

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

59992

YOM:

1943

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Circumstances:

Shortly after a night takeoff from Iwakuni Airbase, while climbing, the aircraft hit the top of a hill located on the Atata Island, about 6 km northeast of the airbase. All nine 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

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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

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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

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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

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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 Short S.25 Sunderland GR5 near Yuli: 14 killed

Date & Time: Jan 28, 1951 at 0840 LT

Type of aircraft:

Short S.25 Sunderland

Operator:

Registration:

PP107

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Iwakuni – Hong Kong

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Circumstances:

The aircraft was performing a flight from Iwakuni AFB to Hong Kong on behalf of the UN Command for the Korean War. While cruising at an altitude of 5,000 feet in poor weather conditions, the Sunderland hit the slope of a mountain located near Yuli, Taiwan. The wreckage was found few days later in an isolated area and all 14 occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is the opinion of the board that the aircraft was off course at the time of the accident, most probably due to a navigational error on part of the flying crew.

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

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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:

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Region:

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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 Douglas C-47B-20-DK near Nagoya: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 28, 1950 at 2100 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

43-49915

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Iwakuni – Komaki

MSN:

15731/27176

YOM:

1945

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Circumstances:

The crew was approaching Komaki AFB in Nagoya after a training sortie. While cruising by night, the aircraft crashed in a mountain area located 42 km southeast of the airbase. A crew member was seriously injured while three other occupants were killed.