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Helicopter flies over runway in Osaka, delaying passenger plane landing

13 Comments

The operators of Kansai International Airport in Osaka have reported to the Ministry for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism that a helicopter flew over one of its runways without authorization on Tuesday, resulting in what the ministry has described as a "serious incident."

According to the ministry, the helicopter owned by Aero Asahi and chartered by Asahi Broadcasting Corp in Osaka, was queued for take-off at 8:30 a.m. and had been instructed not to approach the runway, TV Asahi reported. However, the helicopter reportedly failed to stop, causing a landing ANA passenger flight to cancel its approach and circle around for a second attempt.

The ministry says the ANA plane was delayed by around 10 minutes as a result. It also reported that a team of three aviation investigators has been tasked with looking into the cause of the accident. When questioned about the incident, the helicopter pilot was quoted as saying that he had heard the instruction to keep clear of the runway, but had become distracted by his instruments, TV Asahi reported.

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13 Comments
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This has caused more danger to people than any Osprey has, but will be forgotten about in a few days.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Good point Fad, assumption got me.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Good job ATCs! Head line shold read ATCs Saves 100s

The article doesn't say the ATC's directed the go-around. In all likelihood the pilot of the ANA flight initiated it on his own. A pilot can abort a landing at any time if he feels there's a safety issue. He doesn't have to wait for permission from the tower to do so. In my ever-so-brief time as an active private pilot, I had to perform a go-around at a controlled airport because someone directed to "position and hold" (i.e. " pull out onto the runway and wait for takeoff clearance once you're lined up on the centerline") never acknowledged the clearance to take off and sat there as I approached the runway. While the tower was literally screaming at them to take off, I finally performed a go-around at about a half mile out.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

They really should remove all those instruments from helicopters as they are a lot more difficult to fly than regular fixed wing aircraft. One day some pilot may crash because all those gauges gave him useful information.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Good job ATCs! Head line shold read ATCs Saves 100s

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The pilot should not be able to continue as a pilot as he violated a major air traffic controller law, refusing to stay where he was at after being told to.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It is because of inconsiderate flyers like this that I can't have my hovercar :(

3 ( +4 / -1 )

That pilot excuse is laughable at best... :))

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The pilot of the helicopter needs to do some serious soul- searching. One wrong move away from a tragic catastrophe.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

instrument? you mean iphone 5S?

4 ( +7 / -3 )

unfortunate, when Japan is on high alert for disputed islands anniversary.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

"Distracted by his instruments"? TV Asahi must have hired an ex-cop as their spokesman. This pilot needs to have his license pulled for good.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Lucky its not a military plane.....

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

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