What happened
On October 26, 2022, a privately owned Scheibe SF28A Tandem Falke, registration JA2177, departed Hida Airpark in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. The flight was intended to be a familiarization trip to Toyama Airport, following a route via the Norikura and Tateyama regions. The aircraft was carrying two occupants: the pilot and a passenger in the rear seat.
After the aircraft failed to arrive at its destination by the estimated time of arrival, authorities initiated a search and rescue operation. At approximately 15:45, a police helicopter located the wreckage in a mountainous area near Ikegah．ahora, Takane Town, at an altitude of roughly 1,800 meters. The impact of the crash resulted in two fatalities, as both the pilot and the passenger sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact, though no fire was reported at the scene.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage of the Scheibe SF28A Tandem Falke following its recovery in July 2024. The examination of the engine, control systems, and fuel system revealed no mechanical failures or evidence that the engine had been shut down prior to the crash. Fuel remained in the tanks, and the aircraft's components were found to be in working order, suggesting that no technical malfunction caused the descent.
Meteorological data indicated that weather conditions on the day of the accident were favorable, with clear skies and stable airflows in the region. Furthermore, GPS data from the pilot's mobile phone tracked the aircraft's position, showing that the glider was still in motion several minutes before it reached the final crash site.
Medical examinations of the pilot provided critical insight into the accident. An autopsy revealed that the pilot had a history of coronary artery sclerosis and multiple old myocardial infarctions. Specifically, findings indicated evidence of acute myocardial ischaemia in the heart muscle.
Findings
- The aircraft was functioning normally, and there were no mechanical or engine-related issues that would have prevented continued flight.
- Weather conditions were calm with good visibility and no significant turbulence or downdrafts.
- The pilot's medical history included significant cardiovascular issues, including acute myocardial ischaemia, which likely led to loss-of-consciousness seizures during the flight.
- Because the passenger was not a licensed pilot, they were unable to take control of the aircraft once the pilot became incapacitated, leading to the loss of control and subsequent crash.