Collision during nighttime drill causes crash of 2 Japan MSDF helicopters: defense minister

TOKYO, May 3 (Xinhua) — Japan’s investigators have determined that a collision during a nighttime drill caused the fatal crash of two Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) patrol helicopters in April.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said Thursday that a preliminary examination of the flight data recorders determined a collision caused the crash.
The two SH-60K reconnaissance helicopters’ flight data showed a “rapid and huge impact” simultaneously at the same location, an evidence of the collision, he said, adding that what exactly led to the collision is still being investigated.
The two helicopters carrying a total of eight crew members lost contact late on April 20 during nighttime training over the sea near Izu Islands, about 600 kilometers south of Tokyo.
Among the eight crew members on board, one was pronounced dead after being rescued, while the search for the remaining seven, as well as the aircraft fuselages, has been continuing since then.
Kihara noted there was no indication of any malfunction in the aircraft’s mechanics.
This type of helicopter has had a number of accidents during nighttime training flights, including a fatal crash in 2017 and a collision off the southern island of Amami Oshima in 2021 when no injuries were reported, local media reported. Enditem