6 fatalities

Fatal aircraft accident during takeoff (131452)

Brunswick, United States of AmericaTakeoff (climb)

On April 12, 1957, a Lockheed P-2 Neptune (registration 131452) operated by United States Navy - USN was involved in an aviation accident near Brunswick, United States of America during takeoff. 6 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft lost controllability immediately following liftoff, leading to a high-impact crash and subsequent fire. 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 and caught fire immediately following liftoff, resulting in six fatalities among the crew.

What happened

During the initial climb phase of flight, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of control. The incident occurred at the moment of liftoff, causing the plane to deviate from its intended flight path and impact the ground. Upon impact, the airframe was consumed by flames.

There were eight people on board the aircraft at the time of the accident. The crash resulted in six fatalities among the crew members. Two other individuals who were part of the crew managed to be rescued from the wreckage following the impact.

Findings

The available information indicates that the loss of control began precisely as the aircraft transitioned from the runway to the air. The subsequent fire was a direct result of the crash sequence.

Probable cause

The aircraft lost controllability immediately following liftoff, leading to a high-impact crash and subsequent fire.