1966 — May 18, USAF KC-135 Stratotanker takeoff crash, Kadena Airbase, Okinawa– 12

–12 ASN. Accident description. USAF Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker, Okinawa-Kadena.
–12 Baugher, Joseph F. 1957 USAF Serial Numbers. 1-21-2012 revision.
–11 European Stars and Stripes. “Okinawa Jet Crash Kills 11.” 5-21-1966, p. 5.
–11 Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo, Japan. “Offers Regrets.” 5-24-1966, p. 32.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network:

“….First flight: 1958-07-24 (7 years 10 months)
“Total airframe hrs: 3387….
“Crew: Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5
“Passengers: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6
“Total: Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 11
“Ground casualties: Fatalities: 1 [Okinawan civilian]….
“Departure airport: Okinawa-Kadena AFB…Japan
“Destination airport: Fairbanks-Eielson AFB, AK…

“Narrative: 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.” (Aviation Safety Network. Accident description. United States Air Force, Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker, Okinawa-Kadena AFB…Japan…18 May 1966.)

Baugher: “Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker….1444 (c/n 17515) w/o May 18, 1966 at Kadena AB, Okinawa. Failed to attain adequate speed on takeoff and settled back onto runway. All 11 onboard killed, plus 1 on the ground.” (Baugher, Joseph F. 1957 USAF Serial Numbers. 1-21-2012 revision.)
Newspapers – Chronological

May 19: “Naha, Okinawa (UPI) – A U.S. Air Force KC135 jet tanker crashed today on a highway near Kadena Air Base, killing the five crewmen and an Okinawan civilian who was struck by flying debris, the Air Force reported. The big tankers are used to fuel Guam-based B52 bombers en route to and from bombing missions over Viet Nam.

“First reports said 10 persons were aboard the KC135, which usually carries a crew of five, but the Air Force said only five were aboard.

“U.S. Civil Administrator Gerald Warner sent a condolence message to Okinawa chief executive Seiho Matsuoka expressing sympathy to the family of the dead Okinawan, Kazuo Shimizu, and noting that ‘some of my countrymen’ died in the crash.” (Redlands Daily Facts, CA. “Jet tanker crash kills six in Okinawa.” 5-19-1966, p. 1.)

May 20: “Naha, Okinawa, May 20 (UPI) A U.S. Air Force KC135 jet tanker crashed Thursday on a highway near Kadena Air Base, killing all 11 persons aboard. The tankers are used to fuel Air Force B52 bombers based on Guam en route to and from bombing missions over Viet Nam.

“Eight of the dead, assigned to the 494th Bomber Wing, Turner Air Force Base, Ga. were identified by Strategic Air Command Headquarters In Omaha, Neb. They were:

Capt. B. T. Stowers, Albany, Ga., pilot.
1st Lt 3. N. Spangler. Mayking, Ky., copilot.
Capt. C. T. Haffendorfer, Albany, Ga.. Navigator.
Sgt. C. E. Stuart, Albany, Ga., boom operator.
1st Lt R. W. Ringwall, Albany, Ga., navigator.
Sgt O. E. Wallace, Albany, Ga., crew chief.
Airman 1.C. K. Alston, Albany, Ga., assistant crew chief.
Sgt. C. A. Craw [or Crow], Deming. N.M., a passenger.
T. Sgt. F. D. Waters, Albany, Ga., also a passenger, was assigned to the 28th Bomber Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.”

(European Stars and Stripes. “Okinawa Jet Crash Kills 11.” 5-21-1966, p. 5.)

May 24, Pacific Stars and Stripes: “Naha, Okinawa (USCAR) – Civil Administrator Gerald Warner Thursday forwarded a letter of condolence to Government of Ryukyu Islands Chief Executive Seiho Matsuika on the C-135 air crash Thursday in Kadena that killed 10 American servicemen and one Ryukyman….” (Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo, Japan. “Offers Regrets.” 5-24-1966, p. 32.)

June 4: “Naha, Okinawa – High Commissioner Lt. Gen. Albert Watson cut short a tour of the University of the Ryukyus Thursday after a group of students staged a surprise rally on the campus protesting the recent air crash in Kadena, Okinawa, and U.S. policy in Vietnam….With the help of his language aid, Watson listened while student body President Sheei Ahagon read a letter denouncing U.S. policy in Vietnam and the Ryukyus and blaming the U.S. for the death of a Japanese salesman I the May 19 crash of a KC-135 near Kadena.” (Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo, Japan. “Student Rally Hits Watson’s Visit to Ryukyu University.” 6-4-1966, 30.)

Sources

Aviation Safety Network. Accident description. United States Air Force, Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker, Okinawa-Kadena AFB…Japan…18 May 1966. Accessed 2-23-2012 at: http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19660518-1

Baugher, Joseph F. 1957 USAF Serial Numbers. 1-21-2012 revision. Accessed 2-22-2012 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1957.html

European Stars and Stripes, Darmstadt, Germany. “Okinawa Jet Crash Kills 11.” 5-21-1966, p. 5. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=133464524

Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo, Japan. “Offers Regrets.” 5-24-1966, p. 32. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/pacific-stars-and-stripes/1966-05-24/page-31

Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo, Japan. “Student Rally Hits Watson’s Visit to Ryukyu University.” 6-4-1966, 30.)

Redlands Daily Facts, CA. “Jet tanker crash kills six in Okinawa.” 5-19-1966, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=156937228