All Japan | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While conducting a maritime patrol flight, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the Pacific Ocean off the Iwo Jima Island. The crew was unable to send any distress call and all SAR operations were abandoned after few days as no trace of the airplane nor the eight crew members was found.

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2S Marquise in Japan

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1970

Type of aircraft:

Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise

Operator:

Registration:

03-3207

Flight Type:

Military

MSN:

907

YOM:

1969

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Circumstances:

Suffered an accident somewhere in Japan.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.114 Heron 1B in Hachijō-jima: 19 killed

Date & Time: Aug 17, 1963 at 1411 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.114 Heron

Operator:

Registration:

JA6155

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Hachijō-jima – Tokyo

MSN:

14026

YOM:

1954

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Hachijō-jima Airport, en route to Tokyo-Haneda Airport, the crew climbed in limited visibility due to foggy conditions when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR were initiated at 1630LT and the wreckage was later found on the slope of a mountain located some 10 km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all 19 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Investigations were not able to determine the exact cause of the accident. However, the following assumptions were not ruled out:
- A navigation error on part of the crew who followed a wrong departure route in low visibility,
- An engine failure which forced the crew to modify his route in an attempt to return to the airport for an emergency landing.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-201E in Hachijō-jima

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1963

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

JA5039

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

03253

YOM:

1940

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Crashed on landing at Hachijō-jima Airport for unknown reason. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL off Iwo Jima

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1957

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

43-15209

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

19675

YOM:

1944

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Shortly after takeoff from Iwo Jima Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed into the ocean. All 13 occupants were rescued while the airplane sank and was lost.

Crash of a Douglas C-124 Globemaster II in Iwo Jima: 11 killed

Date & Time: Nov 20, 1955 at 1859 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-124 Globemaster II

Operator:

Registration:

51-0149

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Iwo Jima - Tachikawa

MSN:

43483

YOM:

1951

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Circumstances:

The aircraft was engaged in a flight from Iwo Jima to Tachikawa, carrying two passengers, nine crew members and a load of various goods for a total weight of 24,892 lbs. After a run of 3,500 feet on runway 07, the four engine aircraft rotated and continued to climb to a height of 100 feet when it banked to the left, causing the left wing tip to hit the ground. Out of control, the airplane crashed in a huge explosion and disintegrated on impact. A passenger survived while all ten other occupants were killed. Sixteen days later, on December 6, the only survivor died of his injuries.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the loss of control during initial climb was caused by a malfunction of the number one engine propeller that went into reverse after an electrical short-circuit occurred.

Crash of a De Havilland L-20A Beaver in Japan

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1954

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Operator:

Registration:

51-16500

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

MSN:

276

YOM:

1952

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Circumstances:

Weather conditions deteriorated enroute and the pilot lost his orientation. Due to fuel exhaustion, the pilot and the passenger eventually bailed out and abandoned the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed in a field somewhere in Japan (exact place remains unknown). The airplane was destroyed while both occupants, pilot David Forbes and Henry H. Hansen, were unhurt.

Probable cause:

Fuel exhaustion.