Helicopter Disappears During Scenic Flight Over Mount Aso
A sightseeing helicopter carrying three people vanished near Mount Aso, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, in the southwestern Kumamoto Prefecture on the morning of January 20, 2026, triggering a large-scale search and rescue operation. The helicopter, operated by Takumi Enterprise, took off around 10:52 a.m. local time from the Aso Cuddly Dominion animal park for a scheduled 10-minute scenic flight but failed to return at the expected time.
Local authorities lost contact with the aircraft approximately ten minutes after departure, and the helicopter’s GPS signal was last detected near the Nakadake crater, a highly active vent of Mount Aso.
Occupants and Operator Details
Onboard the helicopter were two Taiwanese tourists — a man in his 40s and a woman in her 30s — and a 64-year-old Japanese pilot with decades of flight experience. The flight was the third of the day for the Robinson R44 aircraft, and no issues had reportedly been reported during earlier flights.
Authorities say an emergency alert believed to have been sent from a passenger’s smartphone was received shortly after contact was lost, suggesting a possible impact, though the circumstances remain unclear.
Search and Rescue Efforts Underway
Following the disappearance, local police, fire departments, and units of the Japan Self-Defense Forces launched extensive search operations over rugged volcanic terrain. A police helicopter later spotted an object inside the Nakadake crater that resembled wreckage, though officials have not yet confirmed whether it is the missing helicopter.
Rescue efforts were complicated and at times suspended due to hazardous volcanic gases, poor weather, and low visibility in and around the crater area. Teams resumed operations when conditions allowed, but access to steep crater slopes remains extremely difficult.
Volcano’s Risks and Tourism Context
Mount Aso, located on the island of Kyushu, is renowned for its immense caldera and volcanic landscapes, attracting tourists from Japan and abroad for hiking, sightseeing, and helicopter tours. The volcano’s frequent activity — it last experienced a significant eruption in 2021 — means that tours offer dramatic views but also expose aircraft to potential volcanic hazards such as sulfur dioxide fumes, wind shear, and rapidly shifting ash clouds.
Tour operators like Takumi Enterprise play an important role in the local tourism economy, yet this is not the first safety incident associated with helicopter flights in the area: a helicopter from the same company was reported to make an emergency landing near Mount Aso in 2024, resulting in injuries.
International Coordination and Response
Given the nationalities of the passengers, local officials have been in contact with Taiwanese authorities and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Fukuoka to coordinate information and support for the families. The incident highlights the challenges of conducting aerial tourism in geologically active regions and the need for robust emergency preparedness for both operator and government agencies.
As search teams continue their efforts, the fate of the three onboard remains unknown. The story is developing, and authorities have pledged to provide updates as more information becomes available.
