Suspected of colliding, two Japanese military helicopters crash in the Pacific Ocean

There have been five fatal accidents of US-Japanese helicopters and planes in Japanese territory in five years.

KYODO NEWS VIA AP

The Japanese coast guard helicopter and patrol vessel conducted a search and rescue operation in the waters after a US military aircraft, V-22 Osprey, crashed off the coast of Yakushima Island, Japan on November 30, 2023.

TOKYO, SUNDAY — A pair helicopters belonging to the Maritime Self-Defense Force Japan crashed and disappeared in the Pacific Ocean, Sunday (21/4/2024 ). It is suspected that the two helicopters collided while flying at night. At least one person died and seven people were reported missing as a result of the incident.

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara in Tokyo said that rescue teams were at the location of the discovery of helicopter debris in the Pacific Ocean. The incident location is near Izu Island, about 80 kilometers south of Tokyo.

"The rescue team has marked the location believed to be the site of the helicopter debris. One survivor was found, but later died while receiving treatment. We are currently searching for other victims," said Kihara.

According to him, the cause of the accident is not yet known. Authorities are now prioritizing searching for victims.

Also read: US Military Plane Crashes Again, Seven Crew Missing

MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 3RD CLASS ERICA BECHARD/U.S.NAVY VIA AP

A pair of Sea Hawk helicopters belonging to the United States Navy were seen on board the USS Ronald Reagan. Japan has developed a local variant of the Sea Hawk produced by Mitsubishi with the SH-60K type under Sikorsky's license from the United States.

Kihara explained that two helicopters experienced an accident during an anti-submarine operation training at night. Communication with one of the helicopters was lost on Saturday at 22:38 local time near Torishima Island. One minute later, an emergency signal from the helicopter appeared.

Approximately 25 minutes later, the control tower lost contact with the second helicopter. The location of the second helicopter's lost contact is still within the same area.

Also read: Fly Prohibition for All Osprey Aircraft Dreamed by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense

The missing helicopter was a Mitsubishi SH-60K which was based on a destroyer. The SH-60K is a variant made by Mitsubishi Japan under license from the Sea Hawk helicopter made by Sikorsky in the United States since 1997.

The helicopter is designed for anti-submarine warfare with a cabin larger than the SH-60J's to accommodate larger avionics equipment. Currently, Japan is starting to replace parts of its SH-60K fleet with the unmanned Sea Guardian helicopter.

THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE JAPAN MARITIME SELF-DEFENSE FORCE VIA AP

A undated photo released by the official website of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force shows the SH-60 K helicopter. Two helicopters of this type were reported to have crashed in the Pacific Ocean on April 21, 2024.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force noted there were no aircraft or other military vessels in the area. This eliminates any suspicion that ships or aircraft from other countries were involved when the incident occurred.

Currently, Japan is increasing its defense spending in response to China's economic growth and North Korea's weapon development in recent years.

Series of accidents

The incident of the two Japanese military helicopters crashing on Sunday adds to the list of similar accidents in recent years. The Japanese Self-Defense Force and the US military have experienced a series of aircraft and helicopter accidents in Japan's territory in the past five years.

A US V-22 Osprey aircraft crashed into Japanese waters in November 2023, resulting in the deaths of eight crew members. US and Japanese Osprey aircraft were subsequently grounded for a certain period of time.

AP PHOTO/KYODO NEWS

A US Marine Corps V-22 Osprey aircraft lands at an air base in Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, October 2021.

In April 2023, a UH-60JA helicopter belonging to the Japan Self-Defense Forces crashed on Miyako Island, south of Okinawa. The accident resulted in the deaths of 10 crew members.

As for January 2022, a Japan-owned F-15 Eagle fighter jet crashed in Ishikawa Prefecture, resulting in the deaths of two pilots. In addition, in 2019, a Japanese F-35A fighter jet pilot died after his plane crashed into the sea off northeastern Japan during a routine training exercise. (AFP/REUTERS)