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14 fatalities

Four-Engine Aircraft Crashes into Mountain in Taiwan (43-17208)

Taitung, TaiwanFlight

On March 6, 1955, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster (registration 43-17208) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Taitung, Taiwan in flight. 14 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It is believed the accident was the result of a controlled flight into terrain. 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 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine aircraft on a flight from Tokyo-Haneda to Hong Kong with a stop at Kadena AFB struck a mountain near Taitung, Taiwan, while cruising at 9,000 feet in reduced visibility. All 14 occupants were killed and the aircraft destroyed.

Accident Overview

A four-engine aircraft operating a flight from Tokyo-Haneda, Japan, to Hong Kong, with an intermediate stop at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan, crashed into a mountain in Taiwan. The accident occurred while the aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 9,000 feet over Taiwan in conditions of reduced visibility.

Location and Impact

The aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located approximately 32 kilometers northwest of Taitung, Taiwan. The impact forces completely destroyed the aircraft.

Casualties

All 14 occupants on board were killed in the crash.

Investigation Findings

The official investigation determined that the accident was the result of a controlled flight into terrain.

Probable cause

It is believed the accident was the result of a controlled flight into terrain.
Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same operator

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