What happened
On March 26, 2016, at approximately 16:18 JST, a privately owned Mooney M20C, registration JA3788, crashed into the south side shoulder of Runway 27 at Yao Airport, Osaka Prefecture. The aircraft was operating under visual flight rules on a flight from Kobe Airport.
During the landing sequence, the aircraft bounced upon touchdown. In an attempt to recover, the crew initiated a go-around. However, during the climb, the aircraft developed an extreme nose-up attitude and began to decelerate rapidly. The aircraft subsequently entered a spin and impacted the ground, resulting in a post-crash fire. All four occupants—the captain and three passengers—were fatally injured.
The investigation
The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) examined the wreckage, radar tracking records, and air traffic control communications. Investigators also interviewed air traffic controllers and eyewitnesses at the airport.
Evidence from witnesses suggested that the aircraft's pitch increased significantly after the engine power was increased for the go-around. The investigation also looked into the aircraft's weight and balance, noting that the aircraft was overweight and had an aft center of gravity (CG) position at the limit corresponding to its maximum weight. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the person maneuvering the aircraft during the final approach was likely a passenger rather than the captain, and that this individual lacked experience with this specific aircraft type and its retractable landing gear systems.