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Crash of a NAMC YS-11-109 in Yonago

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1988 at 0936 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
JA8662
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Yonago - Osaka
MSN:
2022
YOM:
1966
Flight number:
JD670
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
48
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll on runway 25, as V2 speed was reached, the copilot (pic) started the rotation but found the elevator control too heavy and decided to reject the takeoff. The crew initiated an emergency braking procedure but unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and plunged in the Nakaumi Lake. All 52 occupants were rescued, among them eight were injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Weather conditions were marginal at the time of the accident with light snow showers. It was determined that the crew failed to proceed to a deicing prior to takeoff. Thus it is believed that the elevator control may have been affected due to an accumulation of ice, frost and/or slush. It was also reported that the captain had been acting as such on YS-11 aircraft less then 6 months and that he was not allowed to leave the controls to the copilot during takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 747SR-46 on Mt Osutaka: 520 killed

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1985 at 1856 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
JA8119
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Tokyo - Osaka
MSN:
20783
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
JL123
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
15
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
509
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
520
Captain / Total flying hours:
12423
Captain / Total hours on type:
4842.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3963
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2665
Aircraft flight hours:
25030
Aircraft flight cycles:
18835
Circumstances:
JA8119 was a Japan Air Lines Boeing 747SR, a short range variant of the Boeing 747 Series 100. The was aircraft specifically configured for domestic flights with a high density seating arrangement. On June 2, 1978 the aircraft operated on a flight to Osaka (ITM). It floated after touchdown and on the second touchdown the tail struck the runway. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the rear underside of the fuselage. The rear pressure bulkhead was cracked as well. The aircraft was repaired by Boeing. Engineers replaced the lower part of the rear fuselage and a portion of the lower half of the bulkhead. Seven years later, on August 12, 1985, JA8119 had completed four domestic flights when it landed at Tokyo-Haneda (HND) at 17:17. The next flight was to be flight 123 to Osaka (ITM). The aircraft took off from Tokyo-Haneda at 18:12. Twelve minutes later, while climbing through 23900 feet at a speed of 300 knots, an unusual vibration occurred. An impact force raised the nose of the aircraft and control problems were experienced. A decompression had occurred and the crew got indications of problems with the R5 door. In fact, the rear pressure bulkhead had ruptured, causing serious damage to the rear of the plane. A portion of its vertical fin, measuring 5 m together with the section of the tail cone containing the auxiliary power unit (APU) were ripped off the plane. Due to the damage, the hydraulic pressure dropped and ailerons, elevators and yaw damper became inoperative. Controlling the plane was very difficult as the airplane experienced dutch rolls and phugoid oscillations (unusual movement in which altitude and speed change significantly in a 20-100 seconds cycle without change of angle of attack). The aircraft started to descend to 6600 feet while the crew tried to control the aircraft by using engine thrust. Upon reaching 6600 feet the airspeed had dropped to 108 knots. The aircraft then climbed with a 39 degree pitch-up to a maximum of approx. 13400 feet and started to descend again. At 18:56 JAL123 finally brushed against a tree covered ridge, continued and struck the Osutaka Ridge, bursting into flames. A stewardess, one female passenger and two little girl survived while 520 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is estimated that this accident was caused by deterioration of flying quality and loss of primary flight control functions due to rupture of the aft pressure bulkhead of the aircraft, and the subsequent ruptures of a part of the fuselage tail, vertical fin and hydraulic flight control systems. The reason why the aft pressure bulkhead was ruptured in flight is estimated to be that the strength of the said bulkhead was reduced due to fatigue cracks propagating at the spliced portion of the bulkhead's webs to the extent that it became unable to endure the cabin pressure in flight at that time. The initiation and propagation of the fatigue cracks are attributable to the improper repairs of the said bulkhead conducted in 1978, and it is estimated that the fatigue cracks having not be found in the later maintenance inspection is contributive to their propagation leading to the rupture of the said bulkhead.
Final Report:

Crash of a NAMC YS-11-125 in Osaka

Date & Time: May 28, 1975 at 1142 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
JA8680
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Osaka - Okinoshima
MSN:
2041
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
JD621
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5262
Captain / Total hours on type:
3904.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1052
Copilot / Total hours on type:
728
Aircraft flight hours:
18713
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Osaka-Itami Airport, bound for Okinoshima (Oki Island) on flight JD621, the crew informed ATC about technical problems and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Upon touchdown on runway 32R, control became difficult after a tire burst on the right main gear. The airplane veered to the right, contacted soft ground and passed over a drainage ditch before coming to rest. All 22 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
A hydraulic oil leak caused by a loose connection of the hydraulic oil line in the left flap well.
Final Report:

Crash of a NAMC YS-11-111 off Matsuyama: 50 killed

Date & Time: Nov 13, 1966 at 2028 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
JA8658
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Osaka - Matsuyama
MSN:
2023
YOM:
1966
Flight number:
NH533
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
45
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
50
Captain / Total flying hours:
8118
Captain / Total hours on type:
484.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
880
Copilot / Total hours on type:
739
Aircraft flight hours:
1070
Circumstances:
Flight 533 was a scheduled domestic.flight from Osaka International Airport to Matsuyama Airport. It departed Osaka International Airport at 1913 hours, one hour and twenty-five minutes behind schedule with an ATC clearance via G-4, Kure Point, direct Matsuyama NDB at an altitude of 8 000 ft. At 1940 hours it flew over Takamatsu NDB at an altitude of 8 000 ft and reported to Takamatsu Tower an estimated time over Kure Point of 2001 hours. At approximately 2000 hours the crew established communications with Iwakuni Approach Control and reported estimating over Kure Point at 2005 hours and over Matsuyama NDB at 2015 hours. They were twice given the meteorological information for Matsuyama Airport and were cleared to descend to 5 000 ft. At approximately 2003 hours during the descent they requested Matsuyama Tower to check operational conditions of Matsuyama NDB as they had doubts regarding its reliability. Matsuyama NDB, which had been closed af 2000 hours as scheduled, resumed operation at approximately 2010 hours. Almost at that time they requested from Iwakuni Approach Control an ATC clearance to go direct to Matsuyama from Iwakuni since they had already passed Kure Point, and reported in addition that Matsuyama NDB had returned to normal. Iwakuni Approach Control then cleared the flight to Iwakuni-NDB at an altitude of 5 000 ft, requested its estimated time over Iwakuni NDB and further instructed the flight to proceed on a magnetic bearing of 1340 after passing Iwakuni NDB. The flight passed over Iwakuni NDB at approximately 2015 hours and whilst on a magnetic bearing of 135°, it was cleared to descend to and maintain 3 000 ft to Matsuyama NDB. During its descent to 3 000 ft the flight reported to Iwakuni Approach Control its estimated time over Matsuyama NDB as 2023 hours. Shortly thereafter the flight reported that the runway was in sight and was instructed to establish contact with Matsuyama Tower, which it did at 2024:03 hours. It was then instructed to report downwind for Runway 31 and informed that the wind was 020°/10 kt, and the altimeter setting 29.80 in. Hg. This was acknowledged. At approximately 2025:44 hours, while turning on base leg, the flight reported gear down and checked and was cleared to land the wind being 010°/10 kt. This was also acknowledged. Based on the testimony of eyewitnesses and the recording of ATC communications, the final phase of the flight was reconstructed as follows: The altitude of the aircraft on final approach was slightly higher than usual and touchdown occurred approximately 460 m from the threshold of Runway 31. Immediately before touchdown on the runway the engine power had been increased. After a ground run of approximately 170 m the aircraft became airborne and the flight path was slightly to the left of the centre line as the aircraft passed the Runway 13 threshold. A few seconds later, at 2027: 30 hours the aircraft reported it was making a go-around. At approximately 2027:41 hours the flight was instructed to report turning base leg for Runway 31, and six seconds later it replied "Roger, will report turning base Runway 31". This was the last communication from the flight. The climb out angle was observed to be shallower than usual and on reaching a height of 230 - 330 ft a left turn was commenced. Shortly thereafter the aircraft descended and crashed into water, the flight path angle at impact being about 5°. The site of the accident was approximately 450 m NE of the point where the empennage was recovered (7 580 m on a true bearing of 1570 from Tsurushima Light Beacon).
Probable cause:
The reason why the aircraft lost altitude after the go-around and was led to crash into water was not determined. The aircraft, on final approach to Runway 31, touched down about 460 m beyond the runway threshold and made a go-around. It then climbed at a flight path angle somewhat shallower than normal, lost altitude after initiating a turn to the left at an altitude somewhat lower than normal, then made a shallow descent and crashed into water. At the time of impact the aircraft was in a somewhat nose-down and a left bank attitude with undercarriage and flaps fully retracted.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 on Mt Nakanoone: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 14, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
JA5080
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Osaka – Tokyo
MSN:
4436
YOM:
1942
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 2,200 meters in marginal weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Nakanoone located some 65 km northeast of Hamamatsu. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. The wreckage was found on 29 December 1966 in an isolated area. Both pilots were killed.

Crash of a Grumman G-73 Mallard in Osaka: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 18, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
JA5067
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
J-40
YOM:
1948
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Osaka-Itami Airport, the crew encountered engine problems. The seaplane stalled and crashed in a rice paddy field. Two occupants were killed while eight others were injured.
Probable cause:
Engine problems after takeoff.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter on Awaji Island: 11 killed

Date & Time: May 1, 1963 at 0850 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
JA3115
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Osaka – Tokushima
MSN:
223
YOM:
1957
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
While cruising in poor weather conditions, the single engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain shrouded in clouds and located on the Awaji Island. The wreckage was located few hours later and all 11 occupants were killed.

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

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
JA6003
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fukuoka – Tokyo
MSN:
3115
YOM:
1942
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
60
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
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 R4D-8 in Osaka

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1962
Operator:
Registration:
12445
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
43314
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing at Osaka-Itami Airport following technical problems in flight. The aircraft belly landed and came to rest. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It is reported the emergency situation was caused by a fuel contamination.

Crash of a Vickers 744 Viscount in Osaka

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-APKJ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tokyo – Osaka
MSN:
88
YOM:
1955
Country:
Region:
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.