What happened
During a mission departing from Kadena Air Force Base for the Korean War theater, a B-50 Superfortress encountered critical mechanical issues shortly after takeoff. While the aircraft was in its climb phase, the number one engine began malfunctioning. Due to the high weight of the aircraft at the time, an immediate return to the runway for a landing was deemed unsafe.
In an attempt to reduce the plane's weight and facilitate a safer flight, the crew opted to jettison ordnance from the bomb bay. While the release of the bombs was performed under controlled conditions, several munitions detonated upon hitting the ocean surface. The resulting debris and fragments caused significant structural damage to the aircraft.
Unable to maintain flight integrity, the crew was forced to ditch the plane in the sea approximately five miles from the end of the runway. The accident resulted in eight fatalities and three injuries among the crew members.