What happened
While performing a takeoff roll, the pilot-in-command of a heavy bomber encountered an unforeseen complication. In response to this situation, the pilot initiated an emergency braking maneuver. However, the aircraft could not be halted before reaching the end of the available runway area. The plane overran the paved surface and subsequently caught fire.
All eleven crew members successfully exited the aircraft without sustaining any injuries. During the subsequent rescue efforts, several munitions stored within the aircraft's cargo hold detonated. These explosions caused the destruction of the airframe and resulted in the deaths of ten rescuers, consisting of three Americans and seven Japanese personnel.
Findings
- The primary factor in the fatalities was the detonation of onboard bombs during the emergency response.