Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 19 May 1966
Aircraft Type: Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker
Owner/operator: United States Air Force – USAF
Registration Number: 57-1444
Location: Okinawa-Kadena AFB (DNA) –
ÿ Japan
Phase of Flight: Take off
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 11
Component Affected: KC-135A StratotankerKC-135A Stratotanker
Category: Accident
A KC-135A Stratotanker crashed near Highway 16 in Okinawa-Kadena AFB, killing eleven people, including one pilot and one motorist. The aircraft was diverted from its planned route to Yokota AFB to repair a distressed KC-135, and lifted off prematurely during a heavy takeoff.A KC-135A Stratotanker crashed near Highway 16 in Okinawa-Kadena AFB, killing eleven people, including one pilot and one motorist. The aircraft was diverted from its planned route to Yokota AFB to repair a distressed KC-135, and lifted off prematurely during a heavy takeoff.
Description
A Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker was destroyed in a takeoff accident at Okinawa-Kadena AFB (DNA), Japan. All eleven on board and one person on the ground were killed. The jet of USAF’s 4252nd Strategic Wing was headed for Yokota AFB, Japan, to repair a distressed KC-135. It was reportedly ferrying an engine. The airplane had lifted off prematurely during a heavy-weight takeoff and crashed near Highway 16, killing a motorist.
Primary Cause
Heavy-weight takeoff and premature lift-off during a takeoff.Heavy-weight takeoff and premature lift-off during a takeoff.Share on:
