33 fatalities

Fatal aircraft loss off the coast (JA5045)

Shimoda, JapanFlight

On August 12, 1958, a Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3) (registration JA5045) operated by All Nippon Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Shimoda, Japan in flight. 33 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the crash is currently unknown. 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 1781248223Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed into the ocean during cruise flight, resulting in the deaths of all 33 people on board.

What happened

During a period of cruise flight along a coastline, an unidentified aircraft went down in the sea. The incident occurred without any prior warning, as the crew failed to transmit a distress signal before the impact. Following the crash, the aircraft was confirmed lost. There were no survivors among the 33 fatalities recorded on board.

Findings

Investigations conducted by Japanese authorities revealed critical deficiencies regarding safety equipment on the aircraft. Specifically, it was determined that the plane was not outfitted with life vests or inflatable dinghies. The exact reason for the initial crash remains undetermined at this time.

Probable cause

The cause of the crash is currently unknown.