U.S. Military Osprey Crash Off Japanese Coast, One Crew Member Dead

Following the crash of an American Air Force Osprey during a training mission off the southern coast of Japan, Japan has temporarily suspended its own Osprey flights.

The Japanese Defense Ministry has ordered the U.S. military to halt Osprey flights, except those engaged in the search and rescue operation for the downed aircraft. It has grounded all 14 Japanese-owned Ospreys stationed at Ground Self-Defense Force bases.

In the crash near Yakushima island, one of the eight crew members on board the U.S. Osprey died. Search and rescue efforts are in progress, as the cause of the crash remains unclear.

The Osprey is an aircraft with a crash history that includes incidents in Japan. It can fly forward like an aeroplane and take off vertically, similar to a helicopter.

After receiving an emergency call about the crash, the Japan Coast Guard discovered the wreckage, an abandoned life raft, and one dead crew member. Official confirmation of the events leading up to the crash is still pending.

The aircraft, which belonged to the 353rd Special Operations Wing at Yokota Air Base, was recognised by the U.S. Air Force as a CV-22B Osprey.

Due to safety concerns, the Air Force temporarily grounded its Osprey fleet last year. One recurrent problem that was found to be causing unequal power distribution to the rotors was clutch slips. Clutch failure caused a fatal U.S. Marine Corps Osprey crash in 2022.

The Osprey involved in the recent crash was headed to Kadena Air Base on Okinawa when it took off from U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. Japan has suspended Osprey flights until safety is confirmed due to the crash, and the incident is still being investigated.

References- AP News, CBS

U.S. Military Osprey Crash Off Japanese Coast, One Crew Member Dead appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News