No fatalities

Runway Excursion at Kadena Air Force Base Due to Reverse Thrust Failure (63-7802)

Kadena AFB, JapanLanding (descent or approach)

On September 30, 1974, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules (registration 63-7802) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Kadena AFB, Japan during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the reverse thrust system on engine n°4 after landing caused the engine to turn at full power while the reverse thrust systems run properly on engine n°1, 2 and 3. 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

An aircraft veered off the runway to the right after landing at Kadena AFB due to a failure in the reverse thrust system on engine number four. The incident resulted in no injuries, but the airframe was declared a total loss.

Incident Overview

Following its touchdown at Kadena Air Force Base, the aircraft experienced a loss of control during the landing roll. The airplane deviated from the runway centerline, veering off to the right side before eventually coming to a complete stop. Despite the severity of the excursion, there were no reported injuries among those on board.

Damage and Outcome

The structural damage sustained by the airframe during the incident was significant enough that the aircraft was written off as a total loss. The event highlighted critical safety concerns regarding post-landing systems performance.

Probable Cause Analysis

Official investigation findings identified a specific mechanical failure as the root cause of the accident. The reverse thrust system on engine number four failed to deploy correctly after landing. Consequently, this engine continued to operate at full power while the aircraft was attempting to decelerate. In contrast, the reverse thrust systems on engines numbers one, two, and three functioned properly, creating an asymmetric thrust condition that led to the loss of directional control.