10 fatalities

1959-05-20: Lockheed C-130 Hercules (57-0468) — United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) — Ashiya AFB, Japan

Ashiya AFB, JapanLanding (descent or approach)

On May 20, 1959, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules (registration 57-0468) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Ashiya AFB, Japan during landing or approach. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the overshoot and subsequent stall remains 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 1781247426Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine aircraft crashed into military barracks at Ashiya Air Base after failing to land, causing significant loss of life on the ground and in the air.

What happened

During an attempted landing at Ashiya Air Base, a four-engine aircraft failed to touch down on the runway and instead overshot the landing strip. As the aircraft reached the end of the runway, it experienced a stall and careened into several nearby barracks. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft.

Onboard the plane, the accident claimed the life of one crew member, while eight other occupants sustained injuries. The crash also had devastating consequences for personnel on the ground; the collision with the buildings caused the deaths of nine people and left several others injured.

Findings

The specific reasons why the aircraft failed to land successfully remain undetermined, as the exact circumstances surrounding the mishap are still unclear.

Probable cause

The cause of the overshoot and subsequent stall remains unknown.