Japan's Osprey fleet to fly again after crash inquiry blames pilot error

TOKYO, Japan: Japan's fleet of V-22 Osprey aircraft is set to resume operations after an investigation determined that a recent incident was due to pilot error.

The hybrid helicopter-airplane was grounded following an October 27 mishap during a joint exercise with the U.S. military.

The incident occurred as a V-22, carrying 16 personnel, became unstable while attempting to take off from a Japanese military base on Yonaguni, an island southwest of Okinawa. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) confirmed that the aircraft tilted and struck the ground, leading to an aborted takeoff. No injuries were reported.

Following a thorough investigation, the JGSDF revealed this week that the pilots had failed to activate a switch that boosts engine power during takeoff, causing the aircraft to lose stability. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that the findings attributed the cause to human error rather than mechanical or external issues.

Japan's fleet of over a dozen V-22 Ospreys will resume flights immediately, with additional safety and training protocols in place. This is the first notable incident with Japan's Osprey fleet since November 2023, when a U.S. Air Force Osprey crashed off the coast of southern Japan, resulting in the deaths of eight service members.

The Osprey's safety record has drawn scrutiny, especially in Okinawa, where local residents have voiced concerns about the aircraft. Okinawa, hosting around half of the 50,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan, has experienced strong public opposition to the deployment of these aircraft.