The light-engine aircraft Cessna 208 disappeared in the Japanese prefecture of Fukushima. the aircraft was making flight from island of Saipan towards Hokkaido. On board of the aircraft was only the 66-year-old Norwegian pilot. The local authorities started search and rescue operations for the missing airplane.
According to the local authorities the aircraft Cessna 208 possibly fell in the Pacific.
Currently, officers of the naval self-defense forces and local rescuers are involved in the search for the missing aircraft and its pilot. Japan’s transport ministry confirmed that plane’s door was found on 100 km off the coast.
There is a possibility that the Japan Transport Safety Board will not investigate the accident as the plane lost contact, and the parts were found, outside of Japan’s territorial waters.
The Japan Coast Guard is continuing its search for the Norwegian man.
The Cessna 208 Caravan is an American single-engined turboprop, fixed-tricycle landing gear, short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft that is built by Cessna. The airplane typically seats nine passengers with a single pilot, although with a FAR Part 23 waiver it can seat up to fourteen passengers. The aircraft is also used for cargo operations.
http://cqplanespotting.blogspot.com/201 ... ation.html
The usually Perth (Jandakot) based aircraft has been noted operating around Northern and Western parts of Queensland and appears to be returning West as it was photographed (above) on approach to Alice Springs Airport later in the day.
As shown, the aircraft has been modified for geophysical survey work. It is converted for geophysical survey work, and is normally equipped with a magnetometer tail ‘stinger’. It has had two extra sensors added to the cockpit ceiling as well.
VH-FAY was also converted from a standard Grand Caravan to a Texas Turbine Conversions Supervan 900, where the Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-114A engine is replaced by a Honeywell TPE331-12JR engine, and the 3-bladed prop is replaced by a 4-bladed prop.
As has been reported, this conversion delivers a 40% reduction in takeoff distance, improved rate of climb, 14 knots faster on the same fuel burn (or 14% less fuel at the same airspeed), 7000 hour time between overhauls (compared to 3600 hours with the original engine), and a lower hourly operating cost.
https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-c ... n-1-killed
The pilot, sole on board, was in charge to convoy the airplane from Saipan Island, in the Pacific, to the New Chitose Airport in Sapporo. The single engine airplane departed Saipan Airport at 0700 (Japan Time) on a nine hours flight. A first check was made with Japan ATC at 1023 and the next fixpoint was scheduled at 1144. ATC tried several times to establish a radio contact with the pilot but this was not possible. As the airplane was following its track, the decision was taken to send two F-4 of the Japan-Self Defense Force. At 1450, a visual contact was established with the Cessna but unfortunately, both military crew were unable to establish a radio contact with the pilot. Few minutes later, the single engine airplane went into clouds when control was lost. It crashed at 1528 into the Pacific Ocean some 120 km east of Sendai. Some debris were spotted floating on water at 1723 and no trace of the pilot, a Norwegian citizen. It was later considered that he died in the accident. The airplane, built in 2001, was converted for geophysical missions with a new 900 hp engine and other special equipments.
