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Revision as of 01:56, 27 August 2024

The list of Aviation Accidents in Japan Involving U.S. Military and Government Aircraft Post-World War II details incidents that occurred following Japan's defeat in World War II, when the United States established a substantial military presence with various air bases in Japan. The operations of U.S. military and government aircraft, including those by agencies such as the CIA, led to several aviation accidents, often caused by mechanical failures, pilot errors, and challenging flying conditions. These events significantly affected U.S.-Japan relations, military policies, and safety protocols.

Background

After World War II, the US Air Force set up several bases across Japan, including major sites in Okinawa, Misawa, and Yokota. These locations were strategically chosen during the early stages of the Cold War to serve as key operational points for American military activities in Asia. As the frequency of military flights increased within Japanese airspace, there was a notable uptick in aviation accidents. Factors such as technical faults, pilot errors, and challenging weather conditions, compounded by heavy air traffic near these installations, were common contributors to these incidents.[1][2][3]

Protests

Main article: Protests of US military presence in Okinawa

The main island of Okinawa comprises only 0.6% of Japan's land mass but hosts approximately 75% of US forces stationed in Japan, occupying about 18% of the island.[4] Protests against the US military presence in Okinawa have been ongoing since the Anpo protest movement in 1960, reflecting deep local opposition.[5] Residents face high unemployment and limited economic growth due to the military's footprint.[6] Major incidents, like the 1995 rape of a 12-year-old girl by US servicemen and the 2016 murder of a local woman, have fueled protests and calls for troop withdrawal.[7] In 2019, a referendum saw over 70% oppose relocating Futenma Air Station to Henoko Bay, but the Japanese government proceeded, citing security needs.[8]

Notable Incidents

Tachikawa air disaster

Main article: Tachikawa air disaster

On June 18, 1953, a C-124 Globemaster II crashed shortly after takeoff from Tachikawa Air Base, killing all 129 passengers and crew on board. The accident was attributed to engine failure and improper flap usage, which led to a stall and an unrecoverable dive. This incident was the deadliest military plane crash at the time and remains a significant point of reference in discussions about military aviation safety.

1959 Okinawa F-100 crash

Main article: 1959 Okinawa F-100 crash

The 1959 Okinawa F-100 crash occurred on June 30, 1959, when a U.S. F-100 fighter jet crashed into Miyamori Elementary School in Ishikawa, Okinawa, killing 18 people, including 11 students, and injuring 210 others. The crash led to protests against U.S. military presence in Okinawa and calls for the return of the islands to Japan.[9]

CIA Black Jet Incident

An US Air Force U-2 Side View While Flying

The CIA Black Jet Incident occurred on September 24, 1959, when a CIA-operated Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft made an emergency landing at Fujisawa Airfield in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture. During a public holiday, the unidentified aircraft performed a belly landing, overshot the runway, and came to a halt on grassy terrain. The aircraft had no markings indicating nationality, only the number "449".[10] Foreigners in plain clothes arrived shortly after, securing the area with weapons. The pilot was picked up by helicopter and left the scene. The U-2, initially disguised as a weather reconnaissance aircraft, was on a Cold War mission over Eastern Bloc countries.[11]

Japanese police were blocked from investigating the site, and a photographer's home was searched by U.S. personnel.[10] Major Japanese newspapers initially ignored the incident, with only minor coverage in local papers.[12] The matter gained public attention after being discussed in the Japanese National Diet by Kazuo Asukata of the Japan Socialist Party in December 1959.[10] The aircraft, later identified as Article 360, was operated by the CIA pilot Tom Cruell, who ran out of fuel after being impressed with the aircraft’s performance. After repairs, it was redeployed to Incirlik Air Base and was shot down over the Soviet Union in May 1960 during a reconnaissance mission (see 1960 U-2 incident).[13]

Other incidents

1956 United Air Force North American FJ-2 Fury crash

The Shinkoiwa Station Front U.S. Military Aircraft Crash Incident occurred on February 3, 1956, when a U.S. FJ-2 fighter jet, part of a three-aircraft group from Atsugi Air Base, crashed near Shinkoiwa Station, Tokyo. The aircraft was conducting unauthorized training over urban areas, violating the agreement prohibiting U.S. military flights over Japanese cities. The jet suffered an engine failure at 30,000 feet during a sharp turn, entered a tailspin, and crashed into a densely populated residential area, causing an explosion and fire that damaged five houses and injured several civilians. Japanese fire brigades struggled to extinguish the fire, which was fueled by jet fuel, requiring additional chemical fire trucks. The U.S. military was slow to respond and initially refused to release the pilot's name, stating that the next of kin needed to be informed first. The frequent crashes of U.S. aircraft in Japan were attributed to the transition from propeller to jet aircraft and short runways. Japanese police and media demanded more transparency from the U.S. military, reflecting growing public concern over the repeated accidents.[14]

1957 United Air Force Ryan Navion accident

The 1957 United Air Force Ryan Navion accident occurred on February 3, 1956, when a U.S. FJ-2 fighter jet crashed near Shinkoiwa Station, Tokyo, during unauthorized training over urban areas. Three FJ-2 jets from Atsugi Air Base flew over densely populated regions, ignoring regulations set by the Japanese government and USFJ that prohibited flight training over cities. Around 11:00 a.m., one jet experienced engine failure during a sharp turn at 30,000 feet, entered a tailspin, and crashed into a residential area in Katsushika, igniting a large fire that destroyed five houses and injured several civilians, including a woman who suffered a broken leg and others with burns. Despite the efforts of multiple fire brigades, the fire was only extinguished after several hours. The U.S. military was slow to respond, and initially withheld the pilot's name. Repeated accidents were attributed to the transition from propeller to jet aircraft. Japanese police and media demanded transparency from the U.S. military.[15]

2023-2024 United Air Force V-22 Osprey crashes

The 2023-2024 United Air Force V-22 Osprey crashes include several significant incidents involving the U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey aircraft, primarily during training missions. The most notable of these crashes occurred on November 29, 2023, off the coast of Yakushima, Japan, when a CV-22 from the 21st Special Operations Squadron crashed during a joint interoperability exercise. The crash resulted in the deaths of all eight airmen on board. Investigations revealed that the crash was due to a catastrophic failure in the left-hand prop rotor gearbox, causing an unrecoverable loss of control. Following this incident, the U.S. military grounded its entire fleet of V-22 Ospreys, and Japan also temporarily grounded its Osprey fleet as a precaution.[16][17]

Another incident occurred in August 2023 when an MV-22 Osprey assigned to the United States Marine Corps crashed during a training exercise in Australia, killing three Marines. The cause of this crash remains under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest possible pilot error and challenging flight conditions contributed to the accident.[18]

Additionally, on September 14, 2023, two Marine V-22 Ospreys in Japan had to divert within hours of each other due to "cockpit caution indications" while flying near where the Air Force Osprey later crashed. These incidents prompted further scrutiny and contributed to the decision to ground the fleet temporarily.[19]

The crashes led to a comprehensive review and investigation by the U.S. military and other agencies, including the Government Accountability Office (GAO), into the safety record of the V-22 Osprey fleet. The GAO is examining trends among the aircraft's multiple accidents, maintenance issues, and risk management practices across the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps fleets.[20]

Impact on US-Japan Relations

The repeated aviation accidents involving US military aircraft have strained US-Japan relations, particularly among communities near US bases. Compensation for damages and injuries caused by these accidents has often been a contentious issue, with Japanese citizens calling for more accountability and transparency from the US military. The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the US and Japan, which outlines the legal status of US military personnel in Japan, has been frequently debated in light of these incidents.

Changes in Military Policy and Safety Measures

In response to these accidents, the US military has implemented several changes to improve safety protocols and reduce the likelihood of future incidents. These measures include stricter maintenance schedules, enhanced pilot training programs, and more rigorous flight safety checks. Additionally, there have been efforts to improve communication and cooperation with Japanese authorities to ensure prompt and effective responses to any future accidents.

See Also

References

  1. ^ Sheila A. Smith (2022-06-23). "Fifty Years Later, Okinawa Is Still a Strategic Crossroads". dw.com. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  2. ^ Seth Robson (2019-06-17). "Okinawa Remains a Crucial Base for U.S. Military Operations in Asia". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  3. ^ Airman 1st Class Sadie Colbert (2017-02-17). "Misawa Air Mobility Command terminal ushers global reach". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2024-08-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "No home where the dugong roam". The Economist. 2005-10-27. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  5. ^ Kapur, Nick (2018). Japan at the Crossroads: Conflict and Compromise after Anpo. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. p. 1. ISBN 9780674988484.
  6. ^ Spitzer, Kirk. "Tens of thousands protest on Okinawa to close key U.S. bases in Japan". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
  7. ^ Angst, Linda Isako (June 2001). "The Sacrifice Of A Schoolgirl: The 1995 Rape Case, Discourses of Power, and Women's Lives in Okinawa". Critical Asian Studies. 33 (2): 243–266. doi:10.1080/14672710122284. ISSN 1467-2715. PMID 21046830. S2CID 44994357.
  8. ^ "Okinawa referendum rejects new US military base but Abe likely to press on". the Guardian. 2019-02-25. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  9. ^ Kyodo News (July 1, 2009). "Okinawa school marks 50th year since deadly U.S. fighter crash". Japan Times. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
  10. ^ a b c Urgent Question Regarding the Flight of an Unidentified Aircraft Over Japan by Representative Kazuo Asukata (House of Representatives Meeting Records, 33rd Diet, Plenary Session, No. 14).
  11. ^ Kōkū Fan (605). Bunrindo: 90. May 2003. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ^ Koichi Inasaka (May 2003). "U-2 Side Story #2: The Secret CIA Reconnaissance Aircraft That Made an Emergency Landing in Fujisawa". Kōkū Fan (605). Bunrindo: 59.
  13. ^ Polmar, Norman (2001). Spyplane: The U-2 History Declassified. St. Paul, Minnesota: Zenith Imprint. ISBN 0-7603-0957-4.
  14. ^ "Katsushika City History Editing Letter Vol.13" (PDF). city.katsushika.lg.jp. Katsushika City. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  15. ^ "Katsushika City History Editing Letter Vol.13" (PDF). city.katsushika.lg.jp. Katsushika City. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  16. ^ Laura Strickler (2024-08-01). "Osprey crash that killed eight off Japan caused by 'catastrophic' gearbox failure, Air Force says". nbcnews.com. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  17. ^ Tara Copp (2024-02-07). "Pentagon IDs possible cause of Nov. 29 Osprey crash that killed 8". Air Force Times. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  18. ^ Military.com Staff (2024-01-10). "Fatal Marine Osprey Crash Investigation Points to Pilot Error, Safety Lapses". Military.com. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  19. ^ Courtney Mabeus-Brown (2024-01-10). "Federal watchdog to investigate Osprey's safety record after crash". Air Force Times. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  20. ^ Rebecca Kheel (2023-12-21). "Deadly Osprey Crashes Prompt Congressional Probe into Aircraft's Safety". Military.com. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
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