Accident description
Last updated: 22 May 2013
| Status: | |
| Date: | 18 JUN 1953 |
| Time: | 16:34 |
| Type: | Douglas C-124A-DL Globemaster II |
| Operator: | United States Air Force - USAF |
| Registration: | 51-0137 |
| C/n / 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 |
| Airplane damage: | Destroyed |
| Airplane fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | 5,6 km (3.5 mls) NE of Tachikawa AB (Japan)
 |
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Tachikawa AB (RJTC), Japan |
| Seoul-Gimpo (Kimpo) International Airport (SEL/RKSS), South Korea |
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.
Events:
Sources:
» Worst Crash (Time, 29-6-1953)
Sample newspaper article from Newspaperarchive.com
Photos
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 AB to Seoul-Gimpo (Kimpo) International Airport as the crow flies is 1136 km (710 miles).
Distance from Tachikawa AB to Seoul-Gimpo (Kimpo) International Airport as the crow flies is 1136 km (710 miles).
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
Japan- worst accident (at the time)
- 5th worst accident (currently)