An ambulance helicopter crashed into the sea off the coast of Tsushima, Japan, killing three of the six people on board, the Japan Coast Guard has announced.
The Eurocopter EC-135 helicopter registered JA555H, operated by SGC Saga Aviation for medical evacuations, was transporting one patient from Tsushima Airport (TSJ) to Fukuoka city. On board were an elderly female patient in her 80s, along with her caretaker, a pilot, a mechanic, a doctor, and a nurse.
The Japan Coast Guard confirmed that the patient, the doctor, and the caretaker lost their lives in the incident. The other three passengers experienced hypothermia but survived.
The helicopter was reported missing off the eastern coast of Tsushima Island around 14:50 local time on April 6, 2025. It had taken off from Tsushima Airport (TSJ) at 13:30 local time the same day and was scheduled to arrive at a hospital in Fukuoka by 14:15 local time.
According to a report from local news agency Kyodo News, authorities suspect the aircraft was trying to make an emergency landing at sea when it crashed after its tracker stopped moving around 1:43 local time. Japan’s 7th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters sent two aircraft and three ships to assist in the rescue efforts.
A coast guard patrol boat later discovered the helicopter capsized and floating about 27 kilometers northeast of Iki Island, part of Nagasaki Prefecture, shortly after 17:00 local time the same day. Pictures shared on X by local media show three passengers standing on a sinking helicopter.
Medical Helicopter Crashes Into Sea Off Japan, Killing 3 While 3 Are Rescued . Thoughts? https://t.co/qGHjeaSU8D pic.twitter.com/y61kt0xBcf
— Lieutenant Colonel Reagan (@bobbyr75) April 7, 2025
Authorities worked to prevent the helicopter from sinking and monitored the situation while investigating the cause of the crash, Kyodo News report read.
Kyodo News also reported that the helicopter was previously grounded for safety inspections after a crash in Fukuoka Prefecture in July 2024, which resulted in two fatalities and was associated with the same private company.
However, an inspection carried out on April 4, 2025, found no issues with the helicopter involved in the recent accident.