Japan Air Lines Flight 2

Japan Air Lines Flight 2
Overview of the aircraft after the accidental ditching
Accident
DateNovember 22, 1968 (1968-11-22)
SummaryAccidental ditching on approach due to pilot error
SiteSan Francisco Bay near San Francisco, United States
37°35′25″N 122°18′19″W / 37.59028°N 122.30528°W / 37.59028; -122.30528:7
Aircraft

JA8032, the aircraft involved in the accident, seen in 1970 after being repaired
Aircraft typeDouglas DC-8-62
Aircraft nameShiga
OperatorJapan Air Lines
IATA flight No.JL2
ICAO flight No.JAL2
Call signJAPAN AIR 2
RegistrationJA8032
Flight originHaneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan
DestinationSan Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, United States
Occupants107
Passengers96
Crew11
Fatalities0
Injuries0
Survivors107

Japan Air Lines Flight 2 was a scheduled passenger flight on November 22, 1968. The plane was a six month old Douglas DC-8-62 named Shiga (志賀), flying from Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Due to heavy fog and other factors, Captain Kohei Asoh mistakenly ditched the plane near Coyote Point in the shallow waters of San Francisco Bay, two and a half miles short of the runway. All 107 people on board survived the accident without any injuries. Despite the abrupt ditching, and being immersed in salt-water, the aircraft was recovered, repaired, and returned to service.