1951 — May 10, two USAF F-80s collide, one crashes killing 10 on ground, Fukuoka, Japan–11

–11 AP. “11 Die in Fukuoka as F-80 Hurtles into Farm Home.” Stars and Stripes. 5-10-1951, 1.
–11 Baugher, Joe. “1949 USAF Serial Numbers.” Last revised June 7, 2023.
–11 Reuters. “Japan Crash Kills Pilot, 10 Others.” The Salt Lake Tribune, 5-11-1951, p. 8.
–11 UP. “Jet Pilot Dies in Crash at Fukuoka, Killing 19.” Stars and Stripes, 5-12-1951, p. 1.
–10 Aviation Safety Network. USAF F-80C Shooting Star collision, Fukuoka Japan 5-10-1951.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1951:
“Date: 10-MAY-1951
“Type: Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star
“Owner/operator: United States Air Force (USAF)
“Registration: 49-788
….
“Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
“Other fatalities: 9
….
“Location: Fukuoka – Japan
“Phase: Unknown
….
“Narrative: Collided with F-80C 49-0840 and crashed in factory building. Other F-80
returned to base with damaged wing.”

Baugher: “788 (MSN 080-2536) 1951: USAF 80th FBS (8th FBG). May 10, 1951: Crashed near Itazuke AB, Japan. Pilot and 10 civilians on the ground were killed.”

Newspapers

May 10, AP/Pacific Stars and Stripes: “Tokyo (AP) – Two American F-80 jet fighters locked wings in a practice dive over the big southern Japan industrial city of Fukuoka Thursday and one of them crashed to the ground, killing 11 persons, including the pilot. Fukuoka is the largest industrial city in northern Kyushu island.

“The accident occurred at 8:10 a.m.

“Far East Air Force headquarters here said two American F-80 jets were in a practice dive when they touched wings accidentally. One plane failed to pull out of the dive and crashed inside the city. The other pulled out and returned to its base.

“Kyodo News agency said the home of Imakichi Konishi was gutted by fire and his family of nine burned to death. The fire spread to a nearby farmer’s home, which also was gutted. Kyodo said another person also perished bringing the total to 10. If added another house was partially burned before the fire was extinguished at 9 a.m.” (Associated Press. “11 Die in Fukuoka as F-80 Hurtles into Farm Home.” Stars and Stripes. 5-10-1951, p. 1.)

May 11, Reuters News Agency: “Tokyo, May 10 – The far east air force reported Thursday that a Shooting Star jet plane crashed, destroyed two houses, damaged six more and killed 10 Japanese and the pilot. The plane was on a training flight with another Shooting Star near Fukuoka when the two aircraft locked wings in a practice dive. One crashed into the house of a Soya sauce manufacturer and exploded. The owner, his wife, his daughter, and six employes were burned to death. Part of the plane fell on a house 60 yards away and killed a girl.” (Reuters. “Japan Crash Kills Pilot, 10 Others.” The Salt Lake Tribune, 5-11-1951, p. 8.)

May 12, UP/Pacific Stars and Stripes: “Tokyo (UP) – The AirForce announced an F-80 jet pilot was killed Thursday morning in a crash 10 miles east of Fukuoka, in southern Japan. (The Japanese press reported 10 Japanese were killed when the plane demolished one house and set another ablaze.) The accident, now being investigated, occurred when two F-80 Shooting Stars were making a practice dive over the countryside and locked wings. One plane went out of control and crashed. The other returned to base with a damaged wing but no injury to the pilot.” (UP. “Jet Pilot Dies in Crash at Fukuoka, Killing 19.” Pacific Stars and Stripes, 5-12-1951, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “11 Die in Fukuoka as F-80 Hurtles into Farm Home.” Pacific Stars and Stripes. 5-10-1951, p. 1. Accessed 8-5-2023 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/pacific-stars-and-stripes-may-10-1951-p-1/

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1951. USAF F-80C Shooting Star collision, Fukuoka Japan 5-10-1951. Accessed 8-5-2023 at:
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/107380

Baugher, Joe. “1949 USAF Serial Numbers.” Last revised June 7, 2023. Accessed 8-5-2023 at: https://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1949.html

Reuters. “Japan Crash Kills Pilot, 10 Others.” The Salt Lake Tribune, 5-11-1951, p. 8. Accessed 8-5-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-tribune-may-11-1951-p-8/

United Press. “Jet Pilot Dies in Crash at Fukuoka, Killing 19.” Pacific Stars and Stripes, 5-12-1951, p. 1. Accessed 8-5-2023 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/pacific-stars-and-stripes-may-12-1951-p-7/