11 fatalities

Mid-air collision between two USAAF B-29 Superfortresses in Japan (42-24815)

Takashima, JapanFlight

On February 10, 1945, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 42-24815) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Takashima, Japan in flight. 11 people were killed. 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 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

Two Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers collided mid-air while operating near the Nakajima Aircraft Factory, resulting in the deaths of all 23 crew members on board both aircraft.

What happened

During an operational mission directed toward the Nakajima Aircraft Factory in Ōta, a USAAF bomber experienced a mid-air collision with another Boeing B-29 Superfortress. The second aircraft, bearing the registration 42-24784, was carrying twelve crew members at the time of the incident. Following the impact, both heavy bombers lost control and dove into the terrain near Takashima. The crash resulted in the loss of all personnel on board, with a total of 23 fatalities reported across the two aircraft.

Findings

The source material does not provide specific technical findings or contributing factors regarding the cause of the collision. It confirms only that the event occurred during an active operation and resulted in the complete loss of both airframes and their crews.