Japan Press Weekly

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2019 October 22 - 29 [US FORCES]

US military aircraft in Okinawa drops 4kg part

An MC-130J Commando II special mission aircraft, which is believed to be deployed to the U.S. Kadena base, accidentally dropped a 4-kilogram part, the Okinawa Prefectural government revealed on October 21 based on information provided by the Defense Ministry’s local bureau.

In Okinawa, U.S. military aircraft frequently cause drop accidents such as the dropping of a 1-kg window from a U.S. CH-53E military helicopter on August 27.

According to the information from the Okinawa Defense Bureau, the part in question comprises the main landing gear of the multi-mission combat transport/special operations tanker. The U.S. military on October 18 at around 5:40 a.m. during a post-flight inspection of the MC-130J found that the part is missing.

The Okinawa government made an inquiry about the latest accident to the U.S. side, but as of October 21 received no response. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo said that it is highly likely that the part fell into the sea or onto the Kadena base premises.

U.S. MC-130Js often fly over the Tokyo metropolitan area en route to the U.S. Yokota Air Base in Tokyo.

Past related articles:
>
'No harm done' is unacceptable reason for Japan to overlook accidental dropping of US military plane part [September 3, 2019]
> US military helicopter drops a window while in flight [August 31, 2019]
> US military helicopter drops part on schoolyard of junior high school in Okinawa [June 6, 2019]