A sightseeing helicopter carrying three people, including two Taiwanese tourists, went missing over Mt. Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture on the morning of January 20. The aircraft departed from the Aso Cuddly Dominion facility at around 11:00 a.m. and was due to land near the summit ten minutes later but failed to arrive. Takumi Aviation of Okayama Prefecture, which operated the flight, reported receiving a distress signal just before one passenger’s smartphone detected an impact. A security guard near the crater also reported hearing a loud sound. Police, firefighters, and Self-Defense Force helicopters continue to search the area, and the aircraft’s signal has reportedly been detected. Source: Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun / KAB News
Photo: Fukuoka Now (for image purpose only)
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