2 Japanese navy helicopters crash in Pacific Ocean leaving 1 dead, 7 missing; search operation on

The two SH-60K choppers from the Maritime Self Defense Force were carrying four crew each and lost contact late Saturday. (REUTERS)

Japan’s Defense Minister on Sunday (April 21) confirmed that two Japanese navy helicopters, each carrying four crew members, crashed into the Pacific Ocean south of Tokyo during a nighttime training flight, possibly colliding with each other. The incident occurred near Torishima island, approximately 600 kilometers (370 miles) south of Tokyo. One crew member was recovered from the waters but was later pronounced dead, while rescuers continued to search for the remaining seven missing crew members.

The helicopters, identified as SH-60K choppers from the Maritime Self Defense Force, lost contact late Saturday. Defense Minister Minoru Kihara stated that the cause of the crash was not immediately known, but it’s suspected that the helicopters collided with each other before crashing into the water.

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Officials to analyse flight data to ascertain reason behind the crash 

Rescuers recovered a flight data recorder, a blade from each helicopter, and fragments believed to be from both choppers in the same area, indicating they were flying close to each other. The Maritime Self Defense Force deployed eight warships and five aircraft for search and rescue operations.

The Defense Minister also informed that the helicopters, twin-engine, multi-mission aircraft was developed by Sikorsky and was known as Seahawks. He said that they were modified and produced in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. They were on nighttime anti-submarine training in the waters, Kihara said.

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Distress call 

Kihara mentioned that only one distress call was heard, indicating the helicopters were near the same location. One lost contact at 10:38 p.m. (1338 GMT) and sent an automatic emergency signal a minute later. Kihara highlighted another sign to ascertain that the two helicopters were near the same place – as their signals use the same frequency and could not be differentiated.

One helicopter belonged to an air base in Nagasaki, and the other to a base in Tokushima prefecture. The incident occurred during a Japanese navy training session and was not part of a multinational exercise. No foreign aircraft or warships were reported in the area.

Recent military aviation accidents raise safety concerns in Japan

The crash highlights safety concerns surrounding military aviation in Japan. It comes a year after a Ground Self-Defense Force UH-60 Blackhawk crashed, killing all 10 crew members. In January 2022, an Air Self-Defense F-15 fighter jet crash resulted in two fatalities.

Previous incidents, including a 2017 crash of a Japanese navy SH-60J due to human error and a 2021 US MH-60S Seahawk crash attributed to mechanical failure, underscore the risks inherent in military training exercises.