GSDF plane disappears from radar in Hokkaido

Update. Reports started coming in at 10:40 this morning of discovery of a fairly wide debris field, but no news yet on the crew members.

Jtsnose, the weather was too bad for a helicopter, so they pulled the J Self Defense Force's arircraft to do this job. Very low cloud on approach, though. Can fly on one engine no problem.

An aviation expert said on TV last night said the plane might have attempted to drop below the clouds to get a visible sighting of Hakodate airport, or the instrumentation might have given a false altitude reading.

I pray these men are found ok and only just lost for now.

veejay

Basically you're right. Nevertheless, there is a possibility of not a crash with no survivors, but a crash landing with at least some survivors. Let's hope this is such case.

Sorry to say but when any aircraft disappears from the radar there are no happy endings. Condolences to the families.

Red Cross also flies an emergency helicopter vehicle.

Helicopters of the type U.S. flies, may be a safer aircraft for emergency situations.

Here's hoping the people (and even the plane) are found safe.

LR-2

That's a Beachcraft King Air B200

I really hope there was no foul play, and that they are all ok.

The following webpage shows the type of aircraft:

http://www.gonavy.jp/bbs2-jlr2.html

Would be interesting to find out what happened, why and what can be done to prevent a future occurrence.

The Hokkaido Triangle?

lucky the patient wasn't on board too. hopefully they are safe.

fingers crossed.  praying for a safe return of all aboard.

Let's hope and pray that there is a good outcome to this one. So often we get bad news on these 'lost contact' stories.