U.S. Military Osprey Aircraft Crashes Off Japan's Yakushima Island
A U.S. military Osprey aircraft crashed off the coast of Japan's Yakushima Island in southern Kagoshima prefecture, with eight individuals on board, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Japan Coast Guard.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, and the Coast Guard received information about the crash around 2:47 p.m. local time, according to a CNN report.
The 10th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters swiftly dispatched a patrol boat and aircraft to the crash area.
A local fishing vessel assisting in the search discovered one person so far, but no details are available regarding their condition or any injuries among the passengers.
The Yakushima Airport Management Office in Kagoshima Prefecture received an emergency landing request from the U.S. military on Wednesday afternoon, though the source within the Kagoshima prefectural official did not specify whether it came from the U.S. Marines or Air Force.
This incident adds to the series of crashes involving Osprey military aircraft over the years. In August of this year, three U.S. Marines lost their lives, and several others were seriously injured in an Osprey crash during military exercises in Australia.
In 2022, five U.S. Marines died in a crash during a training mission in California, and four service members lost their lives in a separate Osprey crash during NATO training exercises in Norway.
The Osprey is known for its versatility, capable of vertical takeoffs like a helicopter and high-speed cruising like a conventional turboprop plane with wings. While generally considered safe, the aircraft has faced a history of mechanical and operational issues since its introduction in the 1980s.
CNN military analyst and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Cedric Leighton highlighted the aircraft's track record of incidents over the years.
