During a nighttime drill in the Pacific Ocean near the Izu Islands, tragedy struck as two Japanese naval helicopters, twin-engine Mitsubishi SH-60Ks engaged in anti-submarine training, crashed. One crew member has tragically passed away, and seven others remain missing. The incident occurred approximately 600km (372 miles) south of Tokyo.
Debris, including parts of rotor blades, and two flight recorders were discovered close to each other, prompting investigations into the cause of the accident. Defense Minister Minoru Kihara stated that the exact cause remains unknown, emphasizing efforts to prioritize life-saving measures.
Communication with one helicopter was lost at 22:38 local time (14:38 BST) near Torishima Island, followed by an emergency signal received one minute later. Within 25 minutes, communication with the second helicopter, also a Mitsubishi SH-60K, was severed in the same vicinity.
The Mitsubishi SH-60K helicopters, based on the Sikorsky Seahawk, primarily operate from naval destroyers. Despite the proximity to the Izu Islands, the navy confirmed the absence of other aircraft or vessels nearby, indicating the likelihood of external involvement in the incident to be minimal.
This tragic event underscores Japan’s ongoing efforts to bolster defense capabilities, including enhanced cooperation with the US and other Asian nations, amid rising tensions, particularly concerning Chinese assertiveness in the Taiwanese region.
The crash recalls a previous incident in April 2023 when a Japanese army UH60 helicopter, known as a Black Hawk, crashed off Miyako Island in southern Okinawa, resulting in the loss of all 10 individuals on board, including senior Ground Self-Defense Force commander Lieutenant General Yuichi Sakamoto.