1958 — March 7, USMC Flying Boxcar & Skyraider collide off Naha Naval AB, Okinawa–all 26

— 27 Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (126257 to 130264) 8-26-2011.
–26 USMC Flying Boxcar
— 1 USMC Skyraider
— 26 Aviation Safety Network. “Accident Description. Fairchild R4Q-1 Packet…USMC…”
— 26 Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, p. 71.
— 26 Joplin Globe, MO. “Okinawa Crash Fatal to Marines.” 3-8-1958, p. 2.
— 26 Pacific Stars and Stripes. “26 in Crash Listed Dead; 20 Found.” 3-11-1958, p. 30.
— 26 Pacific Stars and Stripes. “Find 4 Victims in Naha Crash; Hunt on for 22.” 3-9-1958, p.1.
— 26 Pacific Stars and Stripes. “Searchers Find 14 Victims of Okinawa Crash.” 3-10-1958, p1.
— 26 San Mateo Times, CA. “94 Die in Rail, Air Disasters.” 3-8-1958, p. 1.
— 26 Sturkey. Mid-Air: Accident Reports…Military and Airline Mid-Air Collisions. 2008, p. 78.
— 26 Zanesville Signal, OH. “22 Bodies Found.” 3-12-1958, p. 14.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “128741 (c/n 10570) in midair collision with AD-6 135350 Mar 7, 1958 off Okinawa. 26 killed on R4Q, one killed on AD-6.” (Baugher. US Navy…Marine…(126257 to 130264) 8-26-2011.)

Gero:
“Date: 7 March 1958 (c.19:45)
“Location: Off Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands

“First aircraft
“Operator: US Marine Corps
“Type: Fairchild R4Q (128741)

“Second aircraft
“Operator: US Marine Corps
“Type: Douglas AD-6 Skyraider (135350)

“Both propeller-driven aircraft had flown from Subi Point, in the Philippines, the twin-engine ‘Flying Boxcar’ transport actually escorting the single-engine attack bomber because of the former’s superior navigational equipment. After having entered a holding pattern, both were descending in darkness through a broken to solid layer of clouds when they collided and plummeted into the Philippine Sea 4 miles (6.5km) from the south end of one runway at Naha Air Base where they were to have landed, and slightly to the left of its extended centerline. A total of 26 American servicemen lost their lives in the accident, including the transport’s crew of six and the pilot (and sole occupant) of the bomber. There were no survivors. Searchers were able to recover all of the victims bodies and the main wreckage of the two aircraft from the water, which was about 50ft (15m) deep at the crash site.

“Investigation revealed that the initial contact was between the left side of the fuselage of 135350 and the right wing tip of 128741, after which time the former’s propeller struck the latter’s starboard power plant. The collision apparently resulted from the failure of the AD-6 pilot to maintain his correct position as wing man in a formation during a descending left-hand turn due to several factors, either alone or in combination with others: a) Disorientation on his part while maneuvering through moderate turbulence; b) Loss or impairment of visibility because of the clouds, aggravated by the darkness; c) Possible vertigo caused by these conditions, aggravated by flashing navigational lights; d) Moderate fatigue and slight hypoxia affecting the pilot. However, a board of inquiry did not totally discount the possibility that the pilot of the transport had himself become disorientated and executed a maneuver that was too sudden for successful evasive action by the smaller aircraft. He also erred in failing to request clearance to make a visual flight rules (VFR) procedure led-down earlier or, having elected to remain above the overcast, in failing to break formation and, utilizing available navigational aids and ground radar, penetrate the clouds separately. It was recommended in the investigative report that except in emergency situations, such joint flights as the one here be permitted only in VFR conditions and daylight hours, and that the aircraft involved maintain a horizontal separation of 1,000 ft (300m) at all times. The Commanding General of the Marine Corps’ Pacific and Atlantic fleets was requested to ensure that their standard operating procedures relative to the transport escort of tactical aircraft be clear and concise in matters related to safety.” (Gero. Military Aviation Disasters. 1999, pp. 71-72.)

Sturkey: “Synopsis: A Fairchild R4Q Flying Boxcar and a Douglas Ad-6 Skyraider flew over the Pacific Ocean from the Philippine Islands to Okinawa [~6 hours]. During a section [two planes flying in formation] ADF [Automatic Direction Finder approach] in IMC [Instrument Meteorological Conditions] weather at night the two planes collided and fell into the sea. The accident killed all 26 military men aboard the two aircraft.” (Sturkey. Mid-Air. 2008, p.78.)

“The Investigation: Based upon available information the two planes had been in IMC weather at the time of the collision. A precision GCA [Ground Controlled Approach] had been available, but the R4Q pilots had not requested it. They had tried a section approach, which involved a much heavier pilot workload and more maneuvering:

(It) placed the AD-6 (Skyraider) pilot in a position which required him to fly close formation on a transport aircraft at night under instrument conditions (while) making descending turns.

“The ADF section…approach had been exceptionally demanding for the Skyraider pilot. He had to (1) maintain his position off the R4Q right wing (2) at night (3) in IFR conditions (4) while the R4Q maneuvered to negotiate the non-precision approach.

“The Skyraider had its own navigation radios. The pilot could have broken off from the R4Q for an individual ADF approach. A precision GCA would have been a cinch. Yet the young pilot tried to maintain formation on the wing of the R4Q with tragic results.

“What caused the collision? Spatial disorientation in the clouds? Turbulence? Mechanical problems? Sudden entry into more dense clouds which caused the Skyraider pilot to lose sight of his leader? Rapid maneuvering by the R4Q ? No one knows.

“Hypoxia and/or carbon monoxide certainly cannot be discounted. The flight was at 12,000 feet for an undetermined time, and it is impossible to ascertain whether oxygen was used….

“Probable Cause: The board delved into the background of the flight crews, ATC concerns, communications, navaids, wreckage analysis, etc. They found no ‘smoking gun’. Board members did agree that the R4Q commander erred by accepting a (1) section descent with (2) different types of aircraft in (3) actual instrument conditions. Instead of a Probable Cause the board set forth a Primary Cause:

It is determined that the Primary Cause of the accident was poor judgment on the part of the R4Q Plane Commander.

“The board listed two Secondary Causes:

(First, bad) weather.
(Second), pilot error on the part of the pilot of the AD-6.

“Postscript: Marine Corps higher authority did not agree with the Secondary Cause finding of pilot error on the part of the Skyraider pilot. This finding was rejected with the following comment:

All that is definitely known from examination of the wreckage is that there was a mid-air collision. The assumption that the AD-6 failed to maintain a proper wing position is based strictly on conjecture and not on facts.

“….The exact cause of this mid-air collision remains unknown.” (Sturkey. Mid-Air: Accident Reports…Military and Airline Mid-Air Collisions. 2008, 85-86.)

Newspapers

March 8, Joplin Globe: “Tokyo, Saturday, March 8 (AP) – A U.S. Marine transport plane with 25 aboard collided in the air with a Marine Skyraider Friday night. Both planes crashed into the sea three miles south of Naha, Okinawa….The U.S. Navy said the two planes, an R4Q transport—Marine version of the C119 Flying Boxcar—and an ADS attack fighter bomber were en route from the Philippines to the U.S. Naval Air Station at Naha. The transport was reportedly carrying 19 passengers and six crew members….The cause of the midair collision is unknown….” (Joplin Globe, MO. “Okinawa Crash Fatal to Marines.” 3-8-1958, p. 2.)

March 8, San Mateo Times: “Naha, Okinawa (AP) — A U. S. marine transport plane carrying 25 persons and a single-seat marine fighter-bomber collided last night as they, were preparing to land, and plunged into the ocean as “a ball of fire.”

“Navy search parties recovered three bodies today and sighted other bodies amid debris and wreckage in the water three miles south of Naha. United States ships and planes searching for possible survivors with the help of Okinawan police and fishermen were hampered by rough water and reefs in the shallow sea.” (San Mateo Times, CA. “94 Die in…Disasters.” 3-8-1958, p.1.)

March 9, Pacific Stars and Stripes: “Okaha Shima, Okinawa – The bodies of four Marines have been recovered and 22 are still missing following the mid-air collision and explosion of two Marine planes Friday off Okinawa, a U.S. Navy spokesman at Yokosuka announced late Saturday night. ‘No survivors have been found so far,’ the spokesman said. ‘The search is being carried on extensively.’ (The United Press said a Marine spokesman reported late Saturday that 12 bodies have been recovered.)

“The crash occurred at 7:43 p.m. Friday, minutes before the planes were scheduled to land at Naha Naval Air Facility.

“Crewmen aboard the Army Tug LT535 from Naha recovered the four bodies near the coral rock
island of Okaha Shima, two miles southwest of Itoman and the Okinawa shoreline.

“A. J. Roddy, skipper of one tug, said one of the bodies recovered was apparently that of a pilot from the looks of his clothes. He said all four had on life jackets but he didn’t know if they had been inflated.

“Many marines, Okinawans and volunteers from other U.S. military units joined in the search and found bits of wreckage and parts of clothing along the main shoreline of Okinawa. A bright, shiny object, believed to be a wing or fuselage was spotted in 36 feet of water late Saturday. David Banks, first officer of a Navy LSM, said he didn’t believe the wreckage would move with the tide and it would be very easy to send divers down to investigate. Navy divers are expected to begin salvage and search operations Sunday morning if the oil slick and wreckage can be located again.

“The two aircraft were an R4Q transport with a crew of six and 19 Marines and a propeller-driven ADS attack fighter bomber with only the pilot aboard. A Marine spokesman said the accident occurred at about 7:43 p.m. Friday as the planes were approaching Naha. They were returning from joint U.S. Philippine amphibious maneuvers. All the marines were members of the 1st Marine Air Wing. Brig. Gen. Charles H. Hayes, 1st MAW commander, arrived at Naha Saturday from Japan to observe rescue and search operations….” (Pacific Stars and Stripes. “Find 4 Victims in Naha Crash; Hunt on for 22.” 3-9-1958, p.1.)

March 10, Pacific Stars and Stripes: “Naha, Okinawa — Search parties Sunday recovered the bodies of 10 marines from the wreckage of a Marine transport plane that collided in mid-air with an attack bomber Friday, U.S. Army officials said Sunday. They were found in the fuselage section of the transport in 60 feet of water by a special four-man team of divers from the Army’s 1st Special Forces Gp. This brought to 14 the number of bodies so far recovered. Four were located Saturday. Twelve are still missing.

“Aboard the R-4Q transport was 19 Marine passengers and six crewmen. Only the pilot was in the propeller-driven RD-5 single engine plane. Marine Corps officials in Washington Sunday listed 17 known dead and nine missing from the 26 persons aboard both planes….” (Pacific Stars and Stripes. “Searchers Find 14 Victims of Okinawa Crash.” 3-10-1958, p.1.)

March 11, Pacific Stars and Stripes: “Naha, Okinawa – All 26 marines involved in a two-plane collision and explosion over Okinawa Friday night have been declared dead, a U.S. Marine spokesman said Monday. ‘The Marine Corps considers them dead because of the nature of the accident and because of the fragmented condition of many of the bodies, recovered,’ said a 1st Marine Air Wing spokesman.

“There were 26 marines aboard the R4Q transport plane that collided with an AD-5 attack bomber minutes before they were to land at Naha Naval Air Facility. They were returning from joint U.S.-Philippine maneuvers.

“So far, 20 bodies have been recovered. Searchers have combed a wide area of water off Okinawa since Friday night at 9 p.m. for possible survivors, bodies and wreckage….The search for the remaining missing bodies continued Tuesday. Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force personnel using amphibious vehicles, helicopters, and small boats are taking part in the hunt. So are fishermen. So far, they have recovered about half of the fuselage of the attack bomber, a wing section, one engine and miscellaneous parts.” (Pacific Stars and Stripes. “26 in Crash Listed Dead; 20 Found.” 3-11-1958, p. 30.)

March 12, UP: “Naha, Okinawa (UP) – The U.S. Marine Corps reported today the recovery of 22 bodies of the 26 persons killed in the collision of a Marine transport and a Marine fighter-bomber off Okinawa last week.” (Zanesville Signal, OH. “22 Bodies Found.” 3-12-1958, p. 14.)

Sources

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Network. “Accident Description. USMC Fairchild Flying Boxcar and USMC Skyraider collide off Okinawa-Naha AFB, 3-7-1958. Accessed 2-3-2023 at: http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19580307-1

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (126257 to 130264) Aug 26, 2011 revision. Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries14.html

Gastonia Gazette, NC. “Mrs. Sanborn’s Nephew Killed I Plane Crash.” 3-12.1948, p. 14. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=65509434

Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. UK and Newbury Park, CA: Patrick Stephens Limited, an imprint of Hayes Publishing, 1999.

Joplin Globe, MO. “Okinawa Crash Fatal to Marines.” 3-8-1958, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=147438415

Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo, Japan. “26 in Crash Listed Dead; 20 Found.” 3-11-1958, p. 30. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=133168844

Pacific Stars and Stripes, Okinawa Edition. “Find 4 Victims in Naha Crash; Hunt on for 22.” 3-9-1958, 1. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=141684005
Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo, Japan. “Searchers Find 14 Victims of Okinawa Crash.” 3-10-1958, 1. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=133168809

San Mateo Times, CA. “94 Die in Rail, Air Disasters.” 3-8-1958, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=48444582

Sturkey, Marion F. Mid-Air: Accident Reports and Voice Transcripts from Military and Airline Mid-Air Collisions. Plum Branch, SC: Heritage Press International, 2008.

Zanesville Signal, OH. “22 Bodies Found.” 3-12-1958, p. 14. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=8366941