Japan has decided to ground its fleet of V-22 Osprey aircraft following an incident that occurred during a joint U.S. military exercise called Keen Sword. The incident involved one of the V-22 Ospreys tilting unexpectedly and making contact with the ground during takeoff. The aircraft was carrying 16 passengers, including three U.S. service members.
The Japan Ground Self Defense Forces reported that the V-22 became unstable during takeoff, swaying from side to side, which led to the left wing making contact with the ground and causing damage to the aircraft. As a result, the flight had to be aborted. Fortunately, the aircraft was able to land safely, and there were no injuries reported.
This incident marks the first major mishap involving Japan's V-22 fleet since a crash last November that resulted in the loss of eight Air Force Special Operations Command service members. Following that crash, both Japan and the U.S. had grounded their V-22 fleets for several months.
Although the V-22 Ospreys resumed flight operations earlier this year, concerns about their safety persist, especially in Okinawa where residents have raised questions about the aircraft's safety record. In response to the recent incident, Japan has decided to keep its fleet of over a dozen V-22s grounded while a thorough investigation is conducted.
Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani assured reporters that there is no inherent safety issue with the Ospreys, but emphasized the importance of ensuring flight safety as a fundamental requirement for aircraft operations. The Pentagon's V-22 joint program office is actively supporting Japan's investigation into the incident.
The V-22 involved in the incident was operating on the Japanese island of Yonaguni, which is located just 100 kilometers east of Taiwan. The decision to ground the V-22 fleet underscores the commitment to safety and thorough investigation following any aviation incident.
