A 40-meter-long blade has tragically fallen from a turbine in Akita Prefecture, northern Japan, killing an elderly man. Metal fatigue and regular maintenance and inspection are the issues.
Turbine Blade Breaks in Akita
One Dead
Police received a call at around 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 2, reporting that a turbine blade had exploded in a park in Akita City. The deceased, 81-year-old Takashi Shishido, was found lying on the ground near the broken blade at Araya Seaside Park in the city’s Araya district.
Emergency services were notified at around 10:20 a.m. and Shishido was taken to a nearby hospital with a head injury.. He was pronounced dead about an hour later. Authorities are currently investigating whether the falling blade was a direct cause of his death.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) had issued a severe wind warning that morning. The highest instantaneous wind speed was recorded at 7:52 a.m., with forecasts predicting that strong winds will continue in northeastern Japan until the evening.
Turbine Breakdown, Maintenance and inspections are concern
According to Akita’s Clean Energy Industry Promotion Division, the turbine involved in the incident was installed by a Tokyo-based company, Sakura Furiyoku. The turbine is located in a city-run park along the Sea of Japan that features walking paths and rest pavilions. Following the incident, police restricted access to the park via the road.
This is not the first incident in the region. In December 2010, one of the three blades of a turbine at the same location fell off, although no injuries were reported. A wind energy expert in Akita suggested that the blade failure could have been caused by metal fatigue and highlighted the importance of regular maintenance and inspection. ” and If inspections had been carried out the case, this could have been prevented. but If public concern increases, it could have a negative impact on the wind energy industry,” the expert warned.
Sakura Furiyoku Japan is a Tokyo-based company specializing in wind energy development and operation. The company is headquartered in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. Detailed information about Sakura Furiyoku’s extensive operations is limited to the public, and the tragic incident has raised concerns about maintenance practices and safety protocols at its wind power facilities.
