Japan Maritime Tragedy: Helicopters Collide

On the night of the 20th, two Maritime Self-Defense Force SH60 patrol helicopters were training to search for submarines off the coast of Torishima in the Izu Islands when communications were lost and one of the eight crew members on board was rescued, while seven others were rescued. He is missing.

According to the Ministry of Defense, communications were lost approximately 270 kilometers off the east coast of Torishima, and one person who was rescued was confirmed dead.

In addition, parts of the aircraft, including the rotor blades, were found near the site, and two flight recorders were found and recovered, and it was determined that the two aircraft had crashed.

The flight recorders were found close together, suggesting that the two planes may have collided in mid-air.

The Ministry of Defense will continue to search for the seven members and the aircraft, and will analyze the flight recorder to determine the details of the crash.
Personnel who confirm death Confirm identity, etc.
According to the Ministry of Defense, one member who was confirmed dead was transferred to Self-Defense Force Yokosuka Hospital in Kanagawa Prefecture, where the cause of death and identity are being determined.

Additionally, the two recovered flight recorders have been transported to Atsugi Air Base in Kanagawa Prefecture, and will be analyzed in the future.