VOLUME 3 AVIATION SAFETY

Chapter 1

Aviation Accidents

I. Aviation Accidents in Recent Years

　　The number of accidents involving private aircraft in Japan has remained generally stable despite the dramatic increase in air transportation, although some movement has been detected in the last few years. There were 33 accidents in 1996 causing 228 casualties (including 23 fatalities). This sharp increase in casualties is due to an accident involving a Garuda Airlines jet at Fukuoka Airport (Table 2.).

　　Of all the accidents which occurred in 1996, four involved regular carriers from Japan. Accidents involving aircraft other than those belonging to Japan's regular carriers and international carriers owned by non-Japanese entities, totaled 28 and resulted in 20 deaths and 11 injuries.

Table 2.Aviation Accidents and Casualties (Private aircraft)
Aircraft
Type


Year　　		 Number of Accidents Number of
Casualties
Large
Aircraft		 Light
Aircraft		 Ultralight
aircraft		 Helicopter
plane		 Gyro Glider Airship Total Fatalities Injuries
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996		 2
3
3
3
1
5		 10
5
5
4
7
11		 6
5
3
8
10
5		 19
7
17
13
6
8		 0
0
1
0
0
0		 7
4
2
2
1
4		 0
0
0
0
0
0		 44
24
31
30
25
33		 23
11
5
277
9
23		 76
14
197
14
24
205
Notes: 1. Source: Ministry of Transport.
2. As of the end of December each year.
3. Includes accidents in foreign countries involving Japanese-owned aircraft (one case in 1991 and two cases in 1992).
4. Includes accidents in Japan involving foreign-owned aircraft (one case in 1991,2 cases in 1994,1 case in 1995, and 1 case in 1996).
5. Excludes incidents involving in-flight deaths as a result of illness(one case in 1993, three cases in 1995 and three cases in 1996).
6. Fatalities include missing persons and persons lost in-flight (one in 1992).
7. Casualties for 1996 are provisional(some accident investigation reports have been withheld).
8. Home-built aircraft came under the light aircraft category until 1994 and have been classified as ultra light aircraft since 1995)..

Chapter 2

Current Aviation Safety Measures

　　Under the Seventh Five-Year Airport Development Plan approved by Cabinet resolution in December 1996 (FY1996- FY2000), the government is striving to install airport and aviation safety facilities to meet the expansion and diversification of air transportation and to maintain aviation safety.

　　As a general reinforcement of airport and aviation safety facility resilience to earthquakes, buildings are inspected regularly, emergency radar equipment is being installed and existing buildings are being reinforced to withstand earthquake.

　　Moves are in place to expand and improve safety measures for the operation of regular flights and include better aircrew qualifications, improved air control systems and aircraft maintenance systems.

　　The government is striving to maintain safety in recreational flying by instructing aviation organizations to take an active lead in publicizing safety awareness and skill improvement training for enthusiasts. It is also promoting a system of approved areas for recreational flying on the basis of safety excellence and conducting research on safety measures.

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