TOKYO (AP) — Following a recent aviation incident, Japan's air force has initiated emergency safety inspections across its fleet of nearly 200 military training aircraft. This decision comes in response to a crash involving a T-4 training plane, operated by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), which went down shortly after takeoff on Wednesday.
The training aircraft, carrying two service members, crashed into the Iruka pond, a reservoir located approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) northeast of the Komaki Air Base in Aichi Prefecture. The incident occurred just one minute after the plane had ascended to an altitude of 4,000 feet (1,200 meters). Notably, air traffic control reported that there was no communication from the aircraft indicating any emergency situation prior to the loss of radar contact, which happened two minutes post-departure.
As the search efforts for the missing crew members continued on Thursday, JASDF announced that operations for all remaining 196 T-4 training aircraft have been suspended. The grounding of these aircraft will remain in effect until the investigation into the cause of the crash has been concluded and comprehensive safety checks are performed. Hiroaki Uchikura, the air force chief of staff, stated that these measures are crucial for ensuring the safety of flight operations.
The T-4 involved in the incident is a 36-year-old aircraft that had not been equipped with a voice recorder or a flight data recorder, which poses a significant challenge for investigators attempting to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Acknowledging this gap, Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani announced plans to retroactively fit the training planes with necessary recording equipment to enhance safety protocols moving forward.
The crash adds to a troubling trend of defense aircraft accidents in Japan, coinciding with the nation’s current efforts to bolster military capabilities amid growing concerns regarding China's influence in the region. Japan is accelerating its military buildup and has committed to doubling its defense budget, leading to fears that financial resources may be diverted from safety measures to military enhancements.
In the aftermath of the crash, witnesses recounted hearing a loud noise akin to thunder, which preceded the crash. As recovery operations progressed, debris believed to be from the aircraft, alongside lifesaving equipment and helmets belonging to the crew, was discovered near the crash site.
