What happened
On the morning of the accident, a twin-engine aircraft departed from Nagoya Airport at 08:46 local time. The flight was being conducted for the purpose of aerial photography, specifically targeting the Gifu district and the Mt Ena region. During the mission, the crew successfully performed multiple circuits over the Mt Ena area at various altitudes, operating under favorable weather conditions.
As the flight continued, the aircraft approached the Mt Ena area at an altitude of approximately 2,000 meters. During this phase, the meteorological conditions deteriorated as the mountain became obscured by clouds. While the crew was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), the aircraft entered the cloud layer. During this period of reduced visibility, the aircraft struck a tree and subsequently crashed into a forested area. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. Of the three people on board, the co-pilot sustained serious injuries, while the other two occupants were killed.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating under VFR when it encountered cloud cover.
- The collision with a tree occurred after the aircraft entered clouds near the mountain.