Officials announced on Wednesday that the U.S. and Japanese militaries will resume Osprey aircraft flights in Japan after completing necessary maintenance and training following a fatal crash last November. The Osprey aircraft, known for its ability to take off like a helicopter and fly like an airplane, has faced challenges in the past, including multiple crashes.
The decision to resume flights came after the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command approved the aircraft to return to service following an “unprecedented” part failure that resulted in the deaths of eight U.S. service members in the crash. Both countries have been in discussions regarding the resumption of Osprey flights.
Following the crash, the entire U.S. Osprey fleet was grounded, as well as Japan’s 14 Ospreys. Each U.S. force will have separate return-to-flight schedules, and the aircraft that have completed necessary maintenance and training are expected to resume flights as early as Thursday.
The crash was attributed to a part problem rather than a design flaw, and steps are being taken to prevent similar issues in the future. The flights will be limited to areas around their bases for now to address safety concerns of residents in Okinawa, where most of the U.S. military Ospreys are deployed.
Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki expressed opposition to the Osprey deployment, reflecting broader objections to the presence of U.S. troops and bases on the island. Construction of a replacement base in Okinawa has been met with local opposition.
Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru confirmed that the U.S. provided detailed information about the crash and the steps taken to ensure the Osprey’s safety before resuming flights.
Before clearing the Osprey for flight, U.S. officials implemented new safety measures and inspections to address concerns about the aircraft’s proprotor gearbox. The specific component that failed in the crash has not been identified pending further investigation.