1963 Hickam Air Force Base Midair Collision (131612)

Incident Overview On a personnel transfer flight from Tokyo to Travis Air Force Base in California, a four-engine aircraft made an intermediate stop at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu. Shortly after departing Hickam Field, the pilot reported technical issues with the high-frequency transmission system and decided to return for a safe landing. The aircraft was approaching from the northwest at night when it struck the slope of Mount Waianae, located approximately 18 miles from the airfield. The aircraft disintegrated upon impact, resulting in the deaths of all 66 occupants on board. ## Casualties The flight crew consisted of Lieutenant Commander Harold M. Oleary, pilot; Lieutenant Commander Mark M. Teague, copilot; Lieutenant Lee A. Thoroux, navigator; Aviation Cadet Charles L. Osborne; Aviation Cadet Charles M. Preston; and Aviation Cadet James B. Quinn Jr. The passengers included personnel from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy, along with two civilians: Mrs. Rita Laverne Webb and her daughter. ## Probable Cause The official investigation determined that the aircraft was off course by approximately 8 miles at the time of the accident. This deviation was attributed to a navigation error by the flying crew, who failed to adhere to the required approach procedures. Low visibility conditions, caused by the combination of night, clouds, and rain, were considered a contributing factor to the crash.