Volume 3 AVIATION Transportation

Chapter 1 Trends in Aviation ACCIDENTS

     The number of accidents involving civil aircraft in Japan has remained relatively stable despite a dramatic increase in air transportation. In 1997 there were 30 accidents resulting in 62 casualties, of which 28 were fatalities (Table 2).

Table 2 Changes in Aviation Accidents and Casualties (Civil Aircraft)

Notes:

  1. Source: Ministry of Transport
  2. All figures as of the end of December each year.
  3. Includes accidents involving Japanese aircraft     outside Japanese territory (2 cases in 1992).
  4. Includes accidents involving foreign aircraft within Japanese territory (2 cases in 1994, 1 case in 1995, 1 case in 1996).
  5. Excludes incidents involving death due to illness which occurred on board aircraft (1 case in 1993, 3 cases in 1995, 3 cases in 1996, 1 case in 1997).
  6. Fatalities include missing persons and persons who lost in-flight.
  7. The injury figures for 1997 are provisional (owing to the fact that some accident investigation reports have been withheld).
  8. Home-built aircraft have been categorized as small size aircraft until 1994 and have been categorized as ultra-light aircraft since 1995.

Chapter 2 Current Aviation TRANSPORT Safety Measures

     Planned development of airports and aviation safety facilities is proceeding in accordance with the Seventh Seven-Year Airport Development Plan (FY 1996-FY 2002).

     The earthquake resistance of airports and aviation safety facilities has been addressed by promoting reinforcement of existing facilities (inspection and improvement of government office buildings) and duplication of air traffic control facilities (establishment of alternative control functions and emergency radar).

     The government is also working to strengthen and improve safety measures for the operation of regular flights by improving the caliber of aircraft crews, strengthening aircraft control systems and ensuring that aircraft maintenance systems are thorough.

     To prevent accidents involving small size aircraft, the government is calling for rigid adherence to accident prevention measures such as strict conformity with applicable laws and regulations, insistence on sensible flight plans, an accurate grasp of weather reports, and thorough in-house training of pilots.

     The government is providing guidance to aviation organizations involved with sky recreational activities on topics such as safety awareness and skill improvement training for enthusiasts, as well as ensuring safety through the promotion of the Authorization System for Excellent Sky Leisure Areas.