An Osprey transport aircraft has resumed flights at a US base in Japan’s southern prefecture of Okinawa for the first time since they were grounded after a deadly crash last November.
US forces and Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force grounded their fleet of Ospreys after one of the tilt-rotor aircraft crashed off the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima, killing all eight US military personnel on board.
Japan’s Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that the aircraft would resume flights in Japan in phases from Thursday, after maintenance and crew training were completed.
Shortly before 9:00 am on Thursday, an Osprey was seen hovering over the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station, and was confirmed to be gaining altitude.
The US 1st Marine Aircraft Wing announced that it had resumed flights of the MV-22 Osprey at Futenma.
Okinawa Prefecture has criticized the decision to put the aircraft back in the air so soon after the flight the tires were lifted. There has also been criticism of the US side’s failure to disclose details of what caused the November crash.
Okinawa and Kagoshima prefectures are demanding disclosure of more detailed information.