On Jan 25th 2026, a JAC Japan Air Commuter aircraft operating on behalf of JAL Japan Airlines was forced to return to its departure airport after experiencing abnormal engine indications shortly after departure.
The aircraft, registration JA08JC, was operating flight JL-3801 from Kagoshima to Okierabu with 35 people on board when, while cruising at FL160 about 70 nautical miles south of Kagoshima, the crew observed unstable temperature indications on the left-hand Pratt & Whitney PW127M engine. As a precaution, the pilots decided to discontinue the flight and return to Kagoshima.
The aircraft landed safely back at Kagoshima approximately 55 minutes after departure. JAL later confirmed that the return was prompted by the fluctuating temperature readings on the left engine. As a result of the incident, the onward rotation to Okierabu was cancelled.
Following inspections and maintenance, the aircraft returned to service around 31 hours after landing, bringing the short but eventful journey to a close without any injuries or further complications.
