What happened
On March 5, 2014, a privately owned Cessna 172M RAM, registered JA3853, departed Nagoya Airfield at approximately 11:39 JST. The flight was intended for aerial photography, with the pilot and one passenger on board. While navigating toward the Omaezaki area, the aircraft struck a high-voltage power transmission tower located on a ridge in Sasahara-cho, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture.
The impact occurred at roughly 11:47 JST, causing the aircraft to disintegrate and ignite a post-crash fire. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained fatal injuries. Witnesses near a local golf course reported seeing the aircraft flying at an extremely low altitude, appearing to skim just above the treetops, before the sound of a collision was heard.
The investigation
The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) conducted an investigation involving on-site wreckage examination, GPS data analysis, and interviews. Investigators reviewed the aircraft's flight plan, which had specified Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Notably, the air traffic services officer had previously warned the pilot that Nagoya Airfield was experiencing instrument meteorological conditions and that weather along the route was poor. Despite this, the pilot proceeded with the flight.
GPS data revealed that the aircraft deviated from its planned route, flying toward the hilly inland area instead of following the intended path. Analysis of the power tower showed specific impact marks from the engine and wing components, confirming the aircraft's flight path and altitude at the moment of impact.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the aircraft flying below the minimum safety altitude while operating under VFR.
- Poor visibility and low cloud cover likely prompted the pilot to descend to lower altitudes in an attempt to maintain visual contact with the ground.
- The pilot likely forced the flight despite known weather difficulties due to a tight schedule involving the photography of a new ship and upcoming aircraft maintenance.
- The pilot had recently undergone a competency review regarding the dangers of flying in clouds but failed to apply that knowledge to postpone the departure.