1955 — Apr 28, USAF B29 Superfortress flies into cloud-shrouded hill ~Naha AFB Okinawa– 10

–10 Associated Press. “Ten Die in Crash.” The Independent Record, Helena, MT. 4-30-1955, 5.
–10 Aviation Safety Network. USAF B-29 Superfortress strikes hill near Naha AFB, Okinawa.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Network, Database:
“Date: 28 Apr 1955
….
“Type: Boeing B-29A Superfortress
“Owner/Operator: …581st ARGp United States Air Force
“Registration: 44-61677
“MSN: 11154
“Fatalities: Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 10
“Other fatalities: 0
….
“Location: 5 km SE of Naha AFB, Okinawa – Japan
“Phase: Initial climb [out of low-level maneuver]
“Nature: Military
“Departure airport: Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan [A US operated airbase.]
“Destination airport: [Not noted.]
“Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources
“Narrative:

“….The crew was engaged in a local training sortie out from Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan. After completing low-level maneuvers, the crew was trying to get height when, flying in clouds, the airplane struck a hill located 5 km south-east of Naha, Okinawa, Japan. The aircraft was destroyed by fire with no survivors from the ten crew members….”

Newspapers

April 28, UP: “Tokyo, April 28 (UP) – A U.S. Air Force B-29 bomber crashed in flames killing nine airmen near Naha, Okinawa, while on a routine flight today, Fare East Air Force headquarters reported. An Air Force spokesman said only the briefest details were available here. He said reports reaching Tokyo said that the American bomber crashed in an open field in the vicinity of Naha. The plane, which was on a routine mission, was based on Okinawa but the air force spokesman said he did not know which of the island’s two air bases – Naha or Kadena – it belonged to. The spokesman said nine U.S. airmen were killed but he did not know if others were aboard.” (United Press. “Nine Airmen Die in Okinawa Crash of Yank Bomber.” The Sandusky Register Star-News, OH. 4-28-1955, p. 1.)

April 30, AP: “Naha, Okinawa – (AP) – An Air Force inquiry seeks to learn why a B-29 bomber crashed into a 600-foot hill while being guided by radio in a landing approach through an overcast Thursday. The 10 crewmen were killed. Names were withheld.” (Associated Press. “Ten Die in Crash.” The Independent Record, Helena, MT. 4-30-1955, p. 5.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Ten Die in Crash.” The Independent Record, Helena, MT. 4-30-1955, p. 5. Accessed 7-3-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/independent-record-apr-30-1955-p-5/

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Network, Database. USAF B-29 Superfortress strikes hill near Naha AFB, Okinawa, Japan, 28 Apr 1955. Accessed 7-3-2023 at:
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/181767

United Press. “Nine Airmen Die in Okinawa Crash of Yank Bomber.” The Sandusky Register Star-News, OH. 4-28-1955, p. 1. Accessed 7-3-2023 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-register-star-news-apr-28-1955-p-1/