Showa Aviation

Cessna 404 Titan

The twin engine aircraft departed Nagoya Airport at 0846LT on an aerial photography mission over the Mt Ena and Gifu district. Several circuits were completed over the area of Mt Ena at various altitudes and in good weather conditions. Approaching Mt Ena at an altitude of about 2,000 metres, weather conditions worsened as the mountain was shrouded in clouds. While flying under VFR mode, the aircraft entered clouds, collided with a tree and crashed in a wooded area. The copilot (a mechanic) was seriously injured while both other occupants were killed. The aircraft was destroyed.