US military aircraft crash off Japan’s coast leaves one dead
TOKYO, Nov 29: In a devastating incident on Wednesday, a US military Osprey aircraft crashed off the coast of Japan’s Yakushima Island in southern Kagoshima prefecture, resulting in at least one confirmed fatality, as reported by a spokesperson from the Japan Coast Guard.
Initially thought to carry eight individuals, the Coast Guard later confirmed that six people were on board the aircraft. The identity of the deceased and the condition of the other occupants remain undisclosed at this time, with the reason behind the crash yet to be determined.
The Japan Coast Guard received information about the crash around 2:47 pm local time (12:47 am ET) and promptly dispatched a patrol boat and aircraft from the 10th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters to the crash area for investigation.
The Yakushima Airport Management Office in Kagoshima Prefecture revealed that the US military had requested an emergency landing at Kagoshima Airport on Wednesday afternoon. However, the source did not specify whether the request originated from the US Marines or Air Force.
This tragic incident marks the latest in a series of crashes involving Osprey military aircraft. In August of this year, three US Marines lost their lives, and several others were seriously injured in an Osprey crash during military exercises in Australia. In 2022, five US Marines died in a crash during a training mission in California, and four US service members perished in an Osprey crash during NATO training exercises in Norway.
The Osprey, known for its high flexibility as it can take off vertically like a helicopter and perform high-speed cruising like a conventional turboprop plane with wings, has faced scrutiny due to its history of mechanical and operational issues since its inception in the 1980s, According to CNN military analyst and retired US Air Force Col. Cedric Leighton. While generally considered safe to fly, these incidents highlight the challenges associated with the aircraft.
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