What happened
During an approach to Naha Airport, the flight crew encountered challenging weather conditions characterized by heavy rainfall and low cloud cover, which significantly restricted visibility. While performing the final approach, the pilot did not maintain a sufficient altitude for the descent profile. As a result, the aircraft collided with trees in a hilly, forested area situated a short distance from the airport.
The impact resulted in 2 fatalities, involving both pilots on board. All 14 passengers sustained injuries during the accident.
Findings
- The primary factor contributing to the crash was the pilot's failure to recognize that the aircraft had descended below a safe altitude during the final approach phase.
- Adverse meteorological conditions, specifically low visibility caused by rain and low-level clouds, played a role in the circumstances leading to the collision with terrain.