Two Japanese helicopters, with four crew members each, crashed in the Pacific Ocean during nighttime training after a possible collision.
Two Japanese helicopters, with four crew members each, crashed in the Pacific Ocean during nighttime training after a possible collision.
One crew member was killed in the accident, and the other 7 went missing.
The two SH-60K choppers from the Maritime Self-Defense Force lost contact late Saturday near Torishima island, 600 km south of Tokyo.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, but sources say they collided with each other before crashing into the water.
The training remains suspended until the cause of the crash is determined and preventive measures are taken.
Rescuers found a flight data recorder and blades of both helicopters along with some fragments, confirming they were flying quite close to one another.
On Sunday, the rescue effort was widened with 12 warships, 7 aircraft, Coast Guard patrol boats, and planes.
US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel offered his country’s help with the search and rescue.
One helicopter belonged to an air base in Nagasaki, and the other to a base in Tokushima prefecture.
The SH-60K aircraft is usually deployed on destroyers for anti-submarine warfare.
Japan has about 70 modified helicopters.