U.S. Military Osprey Aircraft Crashes in Japan, 8 Personnel On Board
A U.S. military Osprey aircraft crashed into the ocean near Yakushima Island in Japan with eight personnel onboard Wednesday, the local coast guard said. A caller reported that an Osprey aircraft of unknown affiliation had crashed at around 2:47 p.m. local time on Nov. 29, a spokesperson for the regional coast guard in Kagoshima Prefecture told NBC News. The plane was later identified as belonging to the U.S. military and having eight people on board.
Search and Recovery Efforts Underway
The coast guard said a search had found wreckage-like debris and an overturned life raft. “A ship belonging to the Yakushima Town Rescue Center is also currently conducting a search and we received report that they found one person in the search area,” it said.
The incident raised concerns about the safety of Osprey aircraft, which are capable of taking off and landing vertically like a helicopter while also having the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. The U.S. military has experienced a number of accidents involving Osprey aircraft in recent years, which has led to calls for increased safety measures and oversight.
Possible Causes Under Investigation
There is currently no information on what might have caused the crash, and an investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the incident. In response to the crash, the U.S. military will likely review the maintenance records and flight history of the aircraft in question to determine if any mechanical issues or pilot error may have contributed to the crash.
Emergency Response
Emergency response teams have been deployed to the area to assist with search and recovery efforts. The U.S. military has also stated that it is fully cooperating with Japanese authorities to provide support and information related to the incident.
Ongoing Concerns
The crash of the Osprey aircraft in Japan has once again highlighted the potential dangers associated with military aviation operations. This incident will likely prompt further discussions about the safety and future use of Osprey aircraft, as well as the broader issue of military aircraft safety.
This is a developing story and more updates are expected as the investigation progresses. Please check back for updates.
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