The small plane that crashed into a residential area of Chofu, western Tokyo, last weekend was likely close to its weight limit as it was carrying five times as much fuel as needed, transport ministry officials said Tuesday.
In addition, the hot temperature of around 34 degrees at the time of the aircraft's takeoff could have reduced the power of the plane's engine and prevented it from gaining altitude, aviation sources said.
The Piper PA-46 crashed at around 11 a.m. Sunday, less than a minute after taking off from Chofu Airport.