Authorities in Japan are searching for a sightseeing helicopter that went missing near Mount Aso, one of the country’s most active volcanoes. The aircraft, carrying three people, disappeared on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, after taking off from a zoo in Aso City for a short tour.
Timeline of the Incident
The helicopter departed at 10:52 local time (01:52 GMT) for a 10-minute flight but never returned. Later in the afternoon, at around 16:00, a police helicopter spotted an object resembling an aircraft inside the crater of Nakadake, one of Mount Aso’s five peaks. Authorities have yet to confirm whether it is the missing helicopter.
Passengers and Pilot
Local media reported that the pilot, a 64-year-old veteran with 40 years of flying experience, was operating the aircraft. His passengers were a man and a woman, both Taiwanese nationals.
The helicopter, a US-made Robinson R44, was on its third sightseeing trip of the day when it vanished. The operator, Takumi Enterprise, said there were no issues with the earlier flights.
Search and Safety Measures
Cloudy weather was reported over the Nakadake area on Tuesday, complicating search efforts. Operations were suspended in the evening but resumed Wednesday morning.
Following the incident, Takumi Enterprise announced it had grounded all of its helicopters, according to reports from Jiji news agency.
Tourism and Safety Record
Helicopter tours over Mount Aso’s volcanic landscapes are a popular attraction in Kumamoto Prefecture, located in south-west Japan. However, safety concerns have arisen in recent years:
- In 2024, a Takumi Enterprise sightseeing helicopter made an emergency landing over Mount Aso, injuring three people.
- Mount Aso itself last erupted in October 2021, sending a massive plume of smoke into the sky and reminding residents of its volatile nature.
Conclusion
The disappearance of the helicopter underscores the risks associated with sightseeing flights over active volcanic regions. As search operations continue, authorities and the operator face mounting pressure to ensure safety standards are upheld for one of Japan’s most iconic tourist destinations.
