The U.S. military has been asked to ground all Ospreys in Japan following a fatal crash that killed at least one and left seven others missing. Japan has also requested the United States military to ground all Osprey aircraft not involved in emergency recovery operations. The U.S. Air Force Osprey that crashed into the ocean off Japan’s southern coast during a training mission belonged to the 353rd Special Operations Wing and was based in Japan. So far, one crew member has been confirmed dead, and the search is ongoing for the remaining seven missing crew members.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated that officials have requested the U.S. military to suspend all Osprey flights except those involved in the search and rescue operation. Japanese defense officials have confirmed that only one U.S. Osprey has joined the search operation since the crash, and Japan plans to suspend flights of all 14 of its Ospreys for the time being.
The crashed Osprey was from Yokota Air Base and departed from the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni on a training mission. After taking off, the crew requested an emergency landing at Yakushima airport but then disappeared from the radar. The aircraft was observed turning upside down with fire coming from one of its engines before it fell into the sea. Local news outlets reported the crash, and the subsequent search operation involved the coast guard and Japanese troops.
The Osprey has long faced criticism for its poor safety record and multiple accidents. At least a dozen incidents have resulted in fatalities since the aircraft became operational in 2007. Last year, Air Force Special Operations Command ordered a temporary stand-down of its Osprey fleet following safety incidents involving power distribution to the rotors.