1 dead, 7 missing after 2 Japan MSDF helicopters crash near Izu Islands
One death has been confirmed after two patrol helicopters of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) crashed over the sea near Izu Islands on Sunday morning, according to the country's defense ministry.
Among the eight members on board, one was reported dead after being rescued, while the remaining seven are missing, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told the press, citing a possibility that the two aircraft collided in the air on Sunday morning.
In addition, a part of the aircraft, including the blade of the rotary wing, was found around the site, so it was determined that the two aircraft crashed.
The MSDF spotted what is believed to have been helicopter debris during a post-accident search, Kihara added, noting that two flight recorders were found nearby and recovered.
The two SH60K patrol helicopters, each carrying four crew members, disappeared on Saturday night during a nighttime anti-submarine drill in the waters east of Torishima island, part of the Izu island chain, according to the defense ministry.
The two MSDF aircraft lost communication at around 10:38 p.m. and 11:04 p.m. local time, respectively.
A vessel that participated in the drill received an emergency signal one minute after the first helicopter lost communication, according to multiple local media outlets.
The SH60K patrol helicopter has a total length of about 20 meters and a width of more than 16 meters, with 2 engines and a crew of 4 people, the MSDF website showed.
Equipped with a dedicated device for detecting submarines, it is mainly mounted and operated on escort ships.
In April last year, 10 people died after a UH60JA helicopter of the Ground Self-Defense Force crashed into the sea in Japan's Okinawa Prefecture.
Related articles
Company wins court ruling to continue development of Michigan factory serving EV industry
GREEN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A judge has ordered a Michigan community to stop blocking efforts to br2024-05-21Christopher Bell stops run of misfortune with pole qualifying run at Kansas Speedway
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Christopher Bell put four trying weeks of crashes and misfortune behind him2024-05-21- BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — It wasn’t supposed to look this comfortable for Real Madrid — even for a tea2024-05-21
Christopher Bell stops run of misfortune with pole qualifying run at Kansas Speedway
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Christopher Bell put four trying weeks of crashes and misfortune behind him2024-05-21College baseball notebook: Conference tournaments to decide NCAA automatic bids and many at
The field for the NCAA baseball tournament will take shape this week with conference tournaments det2024-05-21Legendary golf commentator and former Ryder Cup star Peter Oosterhuis dies aged 75
Former Ryder Cup player Peter Oosterhuis has died at the age of 75. The Englishman, who played in si2024-05-21
atest comment