12 fatalities

Mid-air collision between two B-29 Superfortresses in Japan (42-24784)

Takashima, JapanFlight

On February 10, 1945, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 42-24784) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Takashima, Japan in flight. 12 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 USAAF B-29 Superfortresses collided mid-air while operating near the Nakajima Aircraft Factory, resulting in a crash in Takashima that killed all 23 crew members on board both aircraft.

What happened

During an operational mission directed toward the Nakajima Aircraft Factory in Ōta, a United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) bomber encountered a second USAAF Boeing B-29 Superfortress. The second aircraft was identified by its registration 42-24815 and was carrying 11 crew members at the time of the incident. A mid-air collision occurred between the two heavy bombers. Following the impact, both aircraft lost control and descended rapidly to the ground. They ultimately crashed in the area of Takashima. The accident resulted in the death of all personnel on board both planes, totaling 23 fatalities.