No Abnormal Flight Data from Missing MSDF Helicopters East of Torishima Island; Defense Minister States Cause of Probable Crash Still Unknown
![](https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/MSDF.jpg)
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, second from right, and MSDF Chief of Staff Adm. Ryo Sakai, right, hold a press conference in response to the crash of two MSDF helicopters, at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Monday.
16:01 JST, April 22, 2024
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said Monday that the flight data recorders of the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s SH-60K patrol helicopters recovered after their apparent crash above the waters east of the Izu island chain have “no data that would indicate that there was anything wrong with the aircraft during flight at this time.” The MSDF is analyzing the data in more detail to determine the cause of the accident.
The FDR is a device that records the movement of aircraft. Kihara said at the press conference that “we were able to retrieve the data safely” from the two FDRs. The Defense Ministry believes that the two helicopters most likely collided in mid-air, but Kihara limited himself to stating that the cause could be “a variety of things.”
The MSDF’s accident investigation committee is also interviewing crew members of another helicopter that was involved in the drill at the site along with the two that crashed.
The accident occurred above waters about 280 kilometers east of Torishima Island, part of the Izu island chain. That area of the sea has a depth of 5,500 meters. Several pieces of wreckage including blades from the two helicopters and several helmets were recovered in the area.
MSDF Chief of Staff Adm. Ryo Sakai said at a press conference that he believed that the main part of the aircraft had sunk to the bottom of the sea and he would try to locate them using MSDF oceanographic observation ships.
Eight people were on board the two aircraft, one of whom was confirmed dead after being rescued, and seven others remain missing. The Self-Defense-Forces and Japan Coast Guard are continuing their search on Monday with about 10 vessels and five aircraft.
"Politics" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japan Ministry Concerned Over Same-Sex Couple Receiving City-Issued Resident Certificates Referring to ‘Common-Law Husband’
-
Japan Govt Predicts China’s Forces Could Land on Taiwan Within 1 Week of Enforcing Blockade; Drills Conducted in 2023 Analyzed
-
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike Wins Third Straight Term; Voters Respond to Achievements in Child Care, Education
-
Incumbent Tokyo Governor Leads as Election Day Approaches; 20% of Survey Respondents Still Undecided
-
Japan, U.S. to Compile Joint Document on Extended Deterrence; Foreign, Defense Ministers to Hold Talks
JN ACCESS RANKING