Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force has determined that an accident that occurred during a failed takeoff of an Osprey transport aircraft in Okinawa Prefecture in October was caused by pilot error.
The GSDF grounded all its Ospreys after the accident, but now plans to resume their operations.
In the accident on October 27, the tilt-rotor aircraft lost balance during an attempted takeoff from a GSDF camp on the remote Yonaguni Island. Part of its fuselage came into contact with the ground and suffered damage. None of the 16 people aboard were injured.
The GSDF on Thursday released the findings of a panel that investigated the cause of the accident.
It has found that the co-pilot failed to hit a switch to increase engine thrust temporarily during takeoff and, as a result, the aircraft lost some altitude, leading to its undercarriage hitting the ground once.
The Osprey managed to regain altitude, but then the captain failed to execute a maneuver to control the attitude. The fuselage swayed from side to side, and part of it hit the ground and suffered damage.
The GSDF has concluded that the accident was not caused by any problems with the aircraft itself.
It says it will take steps to prevent a recurrence. The switch for increasing engine thrust during takeoff will be clearly marked. There will be more rigorous training for pilots on emergency maneuvers that they should take in the case of power loss during takeoff.
Since the accident, the GSDF has grounded its fleet of 17 Ospreys. It plans to resume flights as early as Thursday, after briefing the local governments concerned.
Regarding the Osprey involved in the accident, the GSDF is considering whether repairs and maintenance can be carried out at Camp Yonaguni or elsewhere before it can become operational again.
GSDF Chief of Staff General Morishita Yasunori told a news conference on Thursday that it will steadily implement measures designed to prevent any recurrence of accidents like this one, and will make greater efforts to ensure flight safety.
The governor of Okinawa Prefecture, Tamaki Denny, told reporters that it is extremely regrettable that the accident occurred, despite the requests Okinawa has made that US forces, and the GSDF, should refrain from conducting training flights of Ospreys in Okinawa.
Governor Tamaki said the GSDF should not resume operations of its fleet of Ospreys.
14 of the 17 Ospreys operated by the GSDF are based at Kisarazu Camp in Chiba Prefecture. Camp Naha in Okinawa and a GSDF unit in Kumamoto Prefecture each have one Osprey stationed there.
The GSDF grounded all its Ospreys after the accident, but now plans to resume their operations.
In the accident on October 27, the tilt-rotor aircraft lost balance during an attempted takeoff from a GSDF camp on the remote Yonaguni Island. Part of its fuselage came into contact with the ground and suffered damage. None of the 16 people aboard were injured.
The GSDF on Thursday released the findings of a panel that investigated the cause of the accident.
It has found that the co-pilot failed to hit a switch to increase engine thrust temporarily during takeoff and, as a result, the aircraft lost some altitude, leading to its undercarriage hitting the ground once.
The Osprey managed to regain altitude, but then the captain failed to execute a maneuver to control the attitude. The fuselage swayed from side to side, and part of it hit the ground and suffered damage.
The GSDF has concluded that the accident was not caused by any problems with the aircraft itself.
It says it will take steps to prevent a recurrence. The switch for increasing engine thrust during takeoff will be clearly marked. There will be more rigorous training for pilots on emergency maneuvers that they should take in the case of power loss during takeoff.
Since the accident, the GSDF has grounded its fleet of 17 Ospreys. It plans to resume flights as early as Thursday, after briefing the local governments concerned.
Regarding the Osprey involved in the accident, the GSDF is considering whether repairs and maintenance can be carried out at Camp Yonaguni or elsewhere before it can become operational again.
GSDF Chief of Staff General Morishita Yasunori told a news conference on Thursday that it will steadily implement measures designed to prevent any recurrence of accidents like this one, and will make greater efforts to ensure flight safety.
The governor of Okinawa Prefecture, Tamaki Denny, told reporters that it is extremely regrettable that the accident occurred, despite the requests Okinawa has made that US forces, and the GSDF, should refrain from conducting training flights of Ospreys in Okinawa.
Governor Tamaki said the GSDF should not resume operations of its fleet of Ospreys.
14 of the 17 Ospreys operated by the GSDF are based at Kisarazu Camp in Chiba Prefecture. Camp Naha in Okinawa and a GSDF unit in Kumamoto Prefecture each have one Osprey stationed there.
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Summary
Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force found pilot error as the cause of an Osprey transport aircraft accident in Okinawa Prefecture, October 27. The GSDF grounded all Ospreys and is planning to resume operations following the incident. Investigations revealed that a switch to increase engine thrust
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ID: a1b8c464-7636-4b35-ac88-7d84a9dc7c79
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20241114_18/
Date: Nov. 14, 2024
Created: 2024/11/15 07:00
Updated: 2025/12/08 08:51
Last Read: 2024/11/15 07:54