Japan Press Weekly

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2017 June 21 - 27 [US FORCES]

US large cargo craft drops a wing panel

A large U.S. Air Force transport plane accidently dropped a wing panel while flying to the U.S. Yokota air base in Tokyo, it was learned on June 20.

A local defense bureau of the Defense Ministry informed municipalities concerned of the accident.

The liaison council consisting of the Tokyo metropolitan government and local governments near the base expressed regret over the incident by saying, “It could have endangered people’s lives, causing fear among local residents.” The council demanded that the cause be investigated and measures taken to prevent a recurrence.

On June 16, a U.S. Air Force C-5M Galaxy assigned to Travis Base in California left Kunsan Base in South Korea for Yokota Base. During an inspection on the day following the aircraft arrival at Yokota, the loss of a panel on the left wing was discovered.

Past related articles:
> US ship-based plane drops a machine screw [May 7, 2017]
> Okinawa JCP protests against tire drop incident by US helicopter [March 10 & 14, 2017]