Flight History
On July 28, 2010, a Cessna TU206G registered JA3902, operated by Nakanihon Air Service Co., Ltd., departed Niigata Airport at 08:49 local time for a ferry flight to Sapporo Airfield. The aircraft did not arrive at the estimated time of 12:49 and was reported missing. Search and rescue operations located the crashed aircraft on July 30, 2010, in the mountains east of Mt. Iwabe-dake, in Fukushima-town, Matsumae-gun, Hokkaido Prefecture.
Crew and Aircraft
The pilot in command (PIC) and one passenger were on board. Both sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed, but no fire broke out. The aircraft was a Cessna TU206G.
Meteorological Conditions
The flight was conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The Japan Transport Safety Board noted that weather conditions likely led to loss of visual contact with the ground. Weather observations from nearby locations indicated reduced visibility in the mountainous area.
Accident Site and Wreckage
The crash site was located in mountainous terrain east of Mt. Iwabe-dake. The aircraft struck tree canopies on a ridge and was totally destroyed. No post-crash fire occurred.
Investigation Findings
The Japan Transport Safety Board determined the probable cause of the accident to be loss of visual contact with the ground and failure to maintain minimum safe altitude over the mountains in Oshima Peninsula during a VFR flight to Sapporo Airfield. This led to the aircraft crashing into tree canopies, resulting in total destruction and fatal injuries to the PIC and passenger. It is probable that the PIC's belated decision to turn back resulted in the loss of visual contact with the ground.