Three Killed in Small Plane Crash in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan

Tragic Crash Claims Three Lives in Fukuoka

A small aircraft crashed in a mountainous region of Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture, in southwestern Japan, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, resulting in the deaths of all three individuals on board. Emergency services were alerted to the incident after a local resident reported seeing black smoke and what appeared to be a plane crash.

Incident Details and Aircraft Identification

The crash occurred after a Cirrus SR20, a five-seater single-propeller plane manufactured by Cirrus Aircraft of the United States, departed from Kyushu-Saga International Airport. A distress signal was reportedly received around 10:31 a.m. local time, approximately 20 minutes after takeoff. The initial emergency call to fire authorities came around 10:40 a.m., with the caller initially describing what looked like a Cessna aircraft. Police and firefighters launched a search operation, locating apparent plane debris and the three victims near the likely crash site, which is close to the border with Oita Prefecture. The wreckage was severely destroyed, with reports indicating no original shape, no wings, and parts turned into ash.

Victims and Ongoing Investigation

The three deceased individuals were all men. According to the office of Kyushu-Saga International Airport, two of the men were residents of Kyoto and one was from Kobe. Police are currently working to confirm their identities. The flight plan indicated the aircraft was scheduled to return to Yao Airport in Osaka Prefecture, having arrived at Kyushu-Saga International Airport from Yao Airport on Monday. Investigations into the exact cause of the tragic crash are ongoing, with authorities examining all factors that may have contributed to the incident.