November 13, 2018

A U.S. Navy FA-18 fighter on November 12 crashed into the sea area 280 kilometers east-southeast of Naha City in Okinawa Prefecture, according to Japan’s Defense Ministry. The two crewmembers on board managed to parachute out of the plane and were rescued.

The crashed FA-18 is assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. Only one month earlier, an MH-60 helicopter crashed on the deck of the nuclear-powered carrier in the Philippine Sea.

Commenting on the latest accident, Okinawa Vice Governor Jahana Kiichiro on the same day said that residents are worried about future crashes and urged the government to disclose information fully and take measures to prevent a recurrence.

Past related articles:
> Yokosuka-based USS RR crew suspected of drug deals in Japan [February 15, 2018]
> Okinawans overwhelmed by continuing spate of accidents involving US military aircraft [January 25, 2018]