The Japanese Coast Guard has reported the crash of a U.S. military V-22 Osprey aircraft into the ocean near Yakushima island in Japan.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, involved eight people on board the aircraft.
The Coast Guard swiftly deployed patrol boats and aircraft to the crash site but has not released further details about the condition of those on board.
This incident is part of a series of accidents involving the V-22 Osprey, an American military tiltrotor aircraft developed by Bell Helicopter and Boeing Helicopters.
The Osprey has a controversial safety record, with 15 hull-loss accidents resulting in 54 fatalities since its inception.
During its testing phase from 1991 to 2000, the V-22 experienced four crashes, leading to 30 fatalities. Since becoming operational in 2007, there have been ten crashes, including two in combat zones, and several other incidents resulting in a total of 24 fatalities.
The recent crash near Japan adds to the concerns about the safety of the V-22 Osprey, especially in light of its operational history and the number of incidents it has been involved in.
The situation underscores the ongoing safety challenges faced by military aviation and highlights the risks associated with operating complex aircraft like the Osprey.
