On April 6, a medical transport helicopter traveling from Tsushima Airport to a hospital in Fukuoka overturned off the coast of Iki Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, resulting in the deaths of three passengers: 86-year-old patient Mitsuko Motoishi, her 68-year-old son Kazuyoshi, and 34-year-old physician Kei Arakawa. The remaining three aboard—the captain, a mechanic, and a nurse—were rescued and are conscious.
The helicopter, known as “White Bird” and operated by SGC Saga Aviation, was found inverted but floating, with its emergency flotation system deployed. According to investigative sources, the captain stated during questioning from his hospital bed that he manually activated the floats before the aircraft contacted the water, indicating an intentional emergency landing. Authorities believe a mechanical or other in-flight issue may have led to the sea landing, as no significant external damage was found on the airframe or rotor.
The aircraft was manufactured in 2013 and had no prior accidents or repair history. Pre-flight checks on the day of the incident revealed no abnormalities, and the captain, with over 3,600 total flight hours, was reported to be in good health. Communication with the aircraft was lost approximately 17 minutes after takeoff, and it is unclear whether the onboard emergency locator transmitter (ELT) functioned.
The Transport Safety Board began its investigation on April 7, interviewing surviving crew and staff at Fukuoka Wajiro Hospital, which operates the helicopter. Authorities also plan to inspect the operating company’s headquarters in Saga and recover the aircraft for data analysis. SGC Saga Aviation, which owns one other helicopter and five Cessna aircraft, has suspended all operations during the investigation.
The accident has drawn widespread sorrow, particularly in Tsushima, where local medical facilities rely on air transport for emergency cases. Hospital officials expressed deep regret, and residents and acquaintances of the deceased emphasized the importance of maintaining safe and reliable emergency air services for island communities. Source: NHK / NHK 2
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