2 fatalities

Aircraft Crashes into Sea Shortly after Takeoff from Naha Airport (124227)

Naha, JapanTakeoff (climb)

On January 21, 1951, a Lockheed P-2 Neptune (registration 124227) operated by United States Navy - USN was involved in an aviation accident near Naha, Japan during takeoff. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the right engine shortly after rotation. 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 crashed into the sea north of Naha Airport after banking right during initial climb. Two crew members were killed and eleven seriously injured. Probable cause: right engine failure shortly after rotation.

Accident Details

Shortly after departing from Naha Airport runway 36, the aircraft entered a right bank during its initial climb and subsequently crashed into the sea approximately one kilometer north of the airfield. The impact resulted in two crew members being killed and eleven others sustaining serious injuries.

Operational Sequence

The flight was in the initial climb phase when the aircraft deviated from its intended flight path. According to the investigation, the pilot in command lost control of the aircraft when the right engine failed.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of the right engine shortly after rotation.