Japan Press Weekly

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2015 February 4 - 10 [US FORCES]

US F15 again drops a part by accident

An F-15 fighter jet stationed at the U.S. Kadena base in Okinawa again dropped a vertical stabilizer part which weighs about 5.4 kg during its flight training exercises on February 4.

The tip of one of the two fins was found missing after the fighter returned to the base and had inspection and maintenance work performed. The U.S. military reported the loss to the Okinawa Defense Bureau. It is highly probable that the part fell onto the sea, explained the U.S. side.

F-15 fighters had five drop accidents last year alone. On January 15 this year, an AH-1W attack helicopter deployed at the U.S. Marines Corps Futenma base in Okinawa accidentally dropped some pieces of equipment weighing 208kg.

Each time an incident of parts dropping by accident from aircraft occurs, local governments concerned request that thorough preventive measures be taken. As these falling parts may have caused serious injury or death in addition to damage to property, some of these governments seek the suspension of flights until the cause of these accidents are determined. However, the Defense Bureau keeps silent, allowing the U.S. forces to not even have to consider putting a temporary halt to the flights.

Past related articles:
> US military helicopter drops items in sea near Okinawa [January 18, 2015]
> US military aircraft drops 4 drum cans [April 19, 2014]
> Discarded US marine’s parachute falls from the sky in Okinawa [March 28, 2014]
> US fighter jet drops cockpit heat shield [March 5, 2014]
> Marines parachute onto land outside designated training site [January 15, 2014]