No fatalities

Aircraft crash during takeoff departure (42-65306)

Kadena AFB, JapanTakeoff (climb)

On October 2, 1951, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 42-65306) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Kadena AFB, Japan during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the accident during takeoff remains unknown. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft sustained irreparable damage after crashing during its takeoff roll, though all personnel on board survived.

What happened

During the initial phase of flight, an aircraft was involved in a significant accident while attempting to depart. The event occurred during the takeoff sequence, resulting in the vessel being rendered a total loss due to extensive structural damage.

Despite the severity of the impact and the subsequent destruction of the airframe, there were no casualties reported among the personnel on board. All six crew members were successfully extracted from the wreckage by rescue teams following the incident.

Findings

The specific circumstances that led to the loss of control during the departure phase remain undetermined at this time. Investigators have not yet identified the precise mechanism or environmental factor that triggered the crash.

Probable cause

The cause of the accident during takeoff remains unknown.