Two Japanese navy helicopters crashed during nighttime anti-submarine training near Torishima island, resulting in the death of one crew member and leaving seven others missing. Defense Minister Minoru Kihara stated that initial analysis of the flight data recorders showed no mechanical problems, pointing to likely human error as the cause of the crash.
The two SH-60K reconnaissance helicopters lost contact late Saturday, with officials believing they collided due to flying too close to each other. The recovery operation is challenging due to the crash site’s depth of 5.5 kilometers underwater.
The modified Seahawks, developed by Sikorsky and produced in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, are part of Japan’s military buildup to counter threats in the Pacific and East China Sea. The crash highlights the risks involved in military training exercises, with a previous incident in 2017 resulting in three fatalities due to human error.
Following a minor collision in 2021, safety measures were introduced to prevent such accidents, emphasizing the importance of adhering to protocols during training. In contrast, a similar incident in the U.S. in 2021 was attributed to mechanical failure from maintenance issues.
As the search continues for the missing crew members and the cause of the crash is investigated further, the Japanese navy faces the challenge of ensuring the safety of its personnel during training exercises to prevent future tragedies.