What happened
Shortly after departing from Yokota Air Force Base, a B-52 heavy bomber entered a fatal collision course with terrain. Approximately four minutes into the flight, while the aircraft was in its climbing phase, it struck a mountain slope situated near the village of Saimon. The impact occurred roughly 10 km northwest of the departure airfield.
The accident resulted in a significant loss of life among the flight crew. Out of the eleven personnel on board, nine fatalities were recorded. Two members of the crew were successfully rescued from the wreckage following the crash.
Findings
- The aircraft struck a mountain slope during the climb phase of flight.
- The collision occurred in close proximity to the takeoff location.