2001 Kuwana mid-air collision

The 2001 Kuwana mid-air collision is an aviation accident that occurred on 19 May 2001 (Heisei 13).

A Nakanihon Air Service Aérospatiale AS332L1, which had taken off from Nagoya Airport and was conducting a training flight, collided in mid-air with a Cessna 172P that had taken off from the same airport and was conducting a training flight. All 6 people on board the two aircraft were killed, and 1 person on the ground was injured.

Sequence of the accident

The AS332 was due to take off from Nagoya Airport, carry out about 2 hours of training and return to the airport. Meanwhile, the Cessna 172 was also due to take off from the same airport, carry out 1 hour of training and return to the airport. According to plan, each aircraft was to carry a captain and one trainee, and to conduct training in the training airspace to the west of Nagoya Airport. However, 2 acquaintances of the trainee were on board the Cessna 172, and this was not notified to the controllers or others. Also, whereas the AS332's training had been scheduled since the previous day, the Cessna 172's training was decided on the day. For this reason, the pilots of the Cessna 172 had been told of the AS332's presence, but the pilots of the AS332 had not been informed about the Cessna 172.

At 11:02, the AS332 took off from Nagoya Airport and headed south-west. 13 minutes later, the Cessna 172 also took off from the same airport and flew south-west. According to plan, the AS332 was to train from 11:10 to 12:10 and the Cessna 172 from 11:15 to 11:45. At 11:31, the 2 aircraft collided in mid-air at 2,100 ft over the vicinity of Harima Shrine in Kuwana. At this time the AS332's speed was 100 kn and the Cessna 172's speed was 85 kn. As a result of the collision, the AS332's rear tail boom separated from the fuselage, and the Cessna 172 lost its wings and other parts. Both aircraft crashed, and all 6 crew and passengers were killed. In addition, 1 person on the ground suffered injuries including a fractured right ankle, and there was also extensive damage on the ground, including 2 houses completely destroyed by fire. Initially, it was reported that 1 person driving a car on the ground had been killed.

Fire crews were dispatched at around 12:25, and in addition to 14 fire engines and 56 firefighters of the Kuwana City Fire Department, 3 fire engines and 61 members of the volunteer fire corps carried out firefighting at the scene.

Cause of the accident

The Japan Transport Safety Board cited inadequate lookout by the pilots of both aircraft as the cause of the accident. In addition, the fact that both aircraft were on a collision course, and blind spots existing in the aircraft, among other things, were cited as factors in the collision.