1955 — Nov 20, USAF C124 Globemaster II takeoff crash, Iwo Jima Air Base Japan–all 11

–11 Aviation Safety Network. USAF C-124A Globemaster II crash, Iwo Jima Air Base, Japan.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database:
“Date: Sunday 20 November 1955
“Time: 18:59
“Type: Douglas C-124A Globemaster II
“Operator: United States Air Force – USAF
“Registration: 51-149
“MSN: 4e483
….
“Crew: Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 9
“Passengers: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
“Total: Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 11
….
“Location: Iwo Jima Air Base (IWO) (Japan)
“Crash site elevation: 115m (377 feet) amsl
“Phase: Initial climb (ICL)
“Nature: Military
“Departure airport: Iwo Jima Air Base…Japan
“Destination airport: Tachikawa Air Base…Japan
“Narrative:

“A Douglas C-124A Globemaster II transport plane operated on a routine mission from Tachikawa Air Base, Japan to Iwo Jima Air Base and back. The flight to Iwo Jima was uneventful.

“After 24,892 lb of cargo had been loaded on the plane, the crew received clearance to take off from runway 07. Runway 07 was a 9800 feet long asphalt runway. The airplane lifted off the ground at 3500 feet from the approach end of the runway. The undercarriage was retracted and the airplane reached 100 feet at 6600 feet down the runway. At this time the aircraft was observed making a violent bank to the left with a change in engine sound. The left wing pod made initial contact with the ground, tearing itself from the aircraft. The aircraft continued in a left turn and dived into the ground 6950 feet from the approach end and 296 feet left of the runway. The aircraft was consumed by fire. One passenger survived the crash, but died of his injuries on December 6, 1955.

“Probable Cause: It is believed an electrical short in the nr.1 engine propeller system caused the reverse circuit to be energized forcing the blades past the low limit electrical stop to the maximum reverse blade angle against the mechanical stop.”

Newspaper

Nov 21, UP: “Tokyo (UP) – A giant U.S. Air Force C-124 Globemaster crashed on takeoff at historic Iwo Jima in the Pacific today, killing 10 of the 11 persons aboard. Far East Air Force headquarters in Tokyo announced that the plane was returning to its home base at Tachikawa near Tokyo when it crashed on takeoff at Central AB, Iwo Jima, at 5 p.m. Sunday. The huge Globemaster, attached to the 374th Troop Carrier Wing at Tachikawa, had flown cargo to Iwo Jima. The Air Force said the lone survivor was being airlifted to a hospital in Tokyo. An Air Force spokesman said the 11 persons aboard the plane when it crashed included nine crewmen and two passengers….” (United Press. “C-124 Crash Kills 10 on Iwo.” Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo. 11-21-1955, pp.1-2.)

Blanchard note: Amongst the victims was:

S/ Sgt. Walter R. Denney, 26, of Lubbock, TX.
Lt. Vernon C. Watson, 26, navigator, of Belmond, IA.

Sources

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database. USAF Douglas C-124A Globemaster II crash, Iwo Jima Air Base, Japan, 20 Nov 1955. Accessed 7-5-2023 at:
https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19551120-0

Lubbock Evening Journal, TX. “Services Set For Sgt. W. R. Denny.” 12-9-1955, p. 10. Accessed 7-5-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lubbock-evening-journal-dec-09-1955-p-10/

Mason City Globe-Gazette, IA. “Military Rites for Monday for Lt. Vernon Watson.” 12-9-1955, p. 3. Accessed 7-5-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mason-city-globe-gazette-dec-09-1955-p-3/

United Press. “C-124 Crash Kills 10 on Iwo.” Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo. 11-21-1955, p.1. Accessed 7-5-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pacific-stars-and-stripes-nov-21-1955-p-1/