ASN Aircraft accident Douglas C-124A Globemaster II 51-137 Tachikawa Air Base
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Status:
Date:Thursday 18 June 1953
Time:16:34
Type:Silhouette image of generic c124 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Douglas C-124A Globemaster II
Operator:United States Air Force - USAF
Registration: 51-137
MSN: 43471
First flight:
Engines: 4 Pratt & Whitney R-4360-20WA
Crew:Fatalities: 7 / Occupants: 7
Passengers:Fatalities: 122 / Occupants: 122
Total:Fatalities: 129 / Occupants: 129
Aircraft damage: Destroyed
Aircraft fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:5,6 km (3.5 mls) NE of Tachikawa Air Base (   Japan)
Phase: Approach (APR)
Nature:Military
Departure airport:Tachikawa Air Base (RJTC), Japan
Destination airport:Osan Air Base (OSN/RKSO), South Korea
Narrative:
Visibility was 2,5 miles as the Douglas Globemaster transporter took off from Tachikawa AB, Japan, bound for Korea. Shortly after takeoff an engine failed. The pilot radioed "One engine out, returning to field for GCA landing". While on approach back to the air base, an improper use of flaps caused a loss of airspeed. Control was lost and the airplane crashed into a watermelon patch, broke up and caught fire.

Classification:

Loss of control

Sources:
» Worst Crash (Time, 29-6-1953)
» AIR FORCE Magazine / July 2013


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Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Tachikawa Air Base to Osan Air Base as the crow flies is 1110 km (694 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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Douglas C-124

  • 448 built
  • 6th loss
  • 6th fatal accident
  • The worst accident
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 Japan
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