A deadly midair collision between a light plane and a helicopter over Mie Prefecture last year was due to the failure of both pilots to maintain proper vigilance, the transport ministry concluded Thursday.
The conclusion came in a report by the Aircraft and Railway Accidents Investigation Commission of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry.
The accident claimed the lives of the instructor and student pilot aboard the Nakanihon Air Service Co. Aerospatiale AS332 helicopter, and the instructor, student pilot and two passengers aboard the Cessna 172, owned by the same firm.