TOMIOKA, Japan — The U.S. and Japanese militaries will resume flights of Osprey aircraft in Japan after completing necessary maintenance and training following a fatal crash in southern Japan last November, officials said Wednesday.
The Osprey aircraft, which can take off like a helicopter and then fly like an airplane, has had a troubled history, including numerous crashes.
Japan’s Defense Ministry said the two countries have discussed the resumption of Osprey flights in Japan since the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command announced last Friday that the aircraft has been approved to return to service after an “unprecedented” part failure led to the deaths of eight U.S. service members in the crash in Japan.
The entire U.S. Osprey fleet was grounded on Dec. 6, a week after that crash. Japan’s military also grounded all of its 14 Ospreys.
Japan’s Defense Ministry said each of the U.S. forces will have separate return-to-flight schedules, and that Japan and the United States have “closely” discussed a timeline for the resumption of Osprey flights in Japan. Aircraft that have completed necessary maintenance and training will return to flight as early as Thursday, the ministry said.
It said the crash was caused by a part problem, not a faulty Osprey design, and that similar problems can be prevented in the future by taking steps to mitigate the identified cause. It did not provide further details.
The Osprey flights will be limited to areas around their bases for the time being, the ministry said, in an apparent effort to address the safety concerns of residents in Okinawa, where most of the U.S. military Ospreys in Japan are deployed. There has been vocal opposition there to the aircraft.
Okinawa is home to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and its 24 MV-22B Ospreys, and where half of the American troops in Japan are based.
“It would be best if they stay on the ground, as we have all along requested scrapping of the Osprey deployment,” Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki said after last week’s U.S. announcement.
Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said the United States had given an “adequate” explanation of the cause of the crash and provided detailed information about the accident.
The crash was the second fatal Osprey accident in months and the fourth in two years. Before clearing the Osprey, U.S. officials said they put increased attention on its proprotor gearbox, instituted new limitations on how it can be flown and added maintenance inspections and requirements that gave them confidence it could safely return to flight.
The officials did not identify the specific component that failed because the Air Force’s crash investigation has not been completed, but said they now have a better — but not complete — understanding of why it failed.
After a fatal crash involving an Osprey aircraft in Japan last December, the US and Japanese forces have recently announced the resumption of Osprey flights in the country. The decision comes after a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash and the implementation of new safety measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The Osprey, a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff and landing capabilities of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft, has been a controversial presence in Japan since its introduction to the country in 2012. The aircraft has faced criticism for its safety record, with several high-profile crashes raising concerns among Japanese citizens and government officials.
The fatal crash last December, which resulted in the deaths of five US Marines, further fueled calls for the grounding of Osprey flights in Japan. In response to these concerns, both the US and Japanese forces conducted a joint investigation into the crash to determine the cause and identify any necessary safety improvements.
Following the investigation, both parties have agreed to implement a series of new safety measures to enhance the reliability and safety of Osprey flights in Japan. These measures include additional training for pilots and maintenance crews, as well as increased oversight and monitoring of flight operations.
The decision to resume Osprey flights in Japan has been met with mixed reactions from the Japanese public. While some welcome the return of the aircraft as a necessary component of the US-Japan security alliance, others remain skeptical of its safety and reliability.
In light of these concerns, both the US and Japanese forces have pledged to continue working together to ensure the safe operation of Osprey aircraft in Japan. By implementing new safety measures and maintaining open communication with the Japanese government and public, they hope to address any lingering doubts about the aircraft’s safety and build trust among the Japanese people.
As Osprey flights resume in Japan, it is clear that both the US and Japanese forces are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those involved. By learning from past incidents and taking proactive steps to prevent future accidents, they aim to demonstrate their dedication to upholding the highest standards of safety and professionalism in their operations.
