JAPAN: Worst Crash

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Broken rain clouds hung low over Tachikawa Air Base last week as the EUR-124 Globemaster, biggest of the Air Force's transport craft, lumbered to the end of the runway. Visibility was a safe 2½ miles, and the 122 Air Force and Army passengers chatted easily as the massive, two-deck plane made a perfect takeoff.

For 60 seconds, the Globemaster bored upwards through the overcast, above the tiny farms and woodlots that fringe the western outskirts of Tokyo. Its destination: Korea. Then at 4:32 p.m., from 1,400 ft., the pilot flashed word that he was in trouble: "ONE ENGINE OUT—RETURNING TO FIELD FOR GCA LANDING."*

For 120 seconds, the rows of servicemen held fast to their seat belts as the plane lurched and swayed towards the air base; some prayed; one boy clutched his rosary. A second engine failed, and the plane began to lose altitude more rapidly. Four miles short of the base, the Globemaster slammed steeply into a watermelon patch, broke up and caught fire, skittering bits of burning metal at a frightened Japanese farmer who stood near by. Most, if not all, of the men were killed on impact, which was so great that many bodies were torn from their boots.

All 122 passengers, returning from five-day R and R (rest and recreation) leave in Japan, and the seven-man crew were dead. It was the worst airplane disaster in history.†