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4 fatalities

Aircraft impact near Ashiya Air Base

Ashiya AFB, JapanLanding (descent or approach)

On April 22, 1957, a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Ashiya AFB, Japan during landing or approach. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck a mountainside during approach while operating in heavy rain and fog. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-06-14Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed into a mountainside during its final approach to Ashiya Air Base due to adverse weather conditions.

What happened

During the final approach phase of flight, an aircraft struck the slope of Mt Hobashirayama. The impact occurred approximately 11 km before reaching runway 30 at Ashiya Air Base. At the time of the accident, the area was experiencing difficult meteorological conditions, specifically characterized by heavy rain and fog.

Findings

  • The aircraft crashed into terrain while attempting to land.
  • Poor weather conditions, including low visibility from fog and precipitation, were present during the approach.
  • The accident resulted in four fatalities among the crew members on board.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck a mountainside during approach while operating in heavy rain and fog.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 22 Apr 1957 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar accident near Ashiya AFB, Japan?

An aircraft crashed into a mountainside during its final approach to Ashiya Air Base due to adverse weather conditions.

Were there any fatalities in the 22 Apr 1957 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 4 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 22 Apr 1957 involved a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at Ashiya AFB, Japan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft struck a mountainside during approach while operating in heavy rain and fog.

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