On November 30, a F16 fighter belonging to the US military Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture dumped a fuel tank during flight and then made an emergency landing at Aomori Airport. Found near the ground.
Governor Mimura of Aomori Prefecture has expressed his intention to request the US military to investigate the cause of the accident and thoroughly implement measures to prevent recurrence.
Around 6 pm on the 30th, one F16 fighter belonging to the US Army Misawa Air Base fell into an emergency during flight, dumped the fuel tank, and then made an emergency landing at Aomori Airport in Aomori City.
Due to this, seven civilian flights departing from and arriving at the airport were canceled on the 30th, but they are operating normally on December 1st.
The fighter plane moved from the runway to the tarmac after 1 am on the 1st, and remains stopped at the tarmac as of 11:30 am.
The US military said it had dumped two fuel tanks, and according to the Ministry of Defense and others, a part of the fuel tank was found on a national road near a residential area in Fukaura Town, about 65 km west of Aomori Airport.
It is said that the US military has contacted us to "promptly collect".
On the other hand, Governor Mimura of Aomori Prefecture said at the prefectural assembly on the 1st, "If you make a mistake, it was a serious disaster." I showed the idea to request in.
Governor Aomori Mimura "A catastrophe if you make a mistake"
Among them, Governor Mimura said, "In addition to the fact that the runway was closed due to an emergency landing and seven civilian aircraft were canceled, one of the fuel tanks fell into the city area near the Fukaura Town Hall. Since it is a thing and it is quite heavy, it is thought that if you make a mistake, it would have been a serious disaster, and the prefecture takes it very severely. "
After that, he said, "Today, I strongly request the commander of the US Army Misawa Air Base to investigate the cause of the accident and thoroughly implement measures to prevent recurrence." He clarified the idea of requesting the US military to do so in writing.
According to police, a metal object was found around 6 pm on the 30th on National Highway 101 near Fukaura Town Hall, about 65 kilometers southwest of Aomori Airport, and the Ministry of Defense may be part of a fuel tank. Therefore, we are proceeding with detailed confirmation of the situation by dispatching staff to the site.
There is a lot of traffic on the national highway at the site, and houses are lined up in the surrounding area.
Former air general "Thorough awareness that ground damage should not be caused"
Regarding this trouble, Toshimichi Nagaiwa, a former fighter pilot of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, said, "Even if a trouble occurs in the sky, it will not cause a serious situation such as a crash, so the fuel tank was dumped. It is an important means to ensure maneuverability. If you have time and distance, you can dump it on the sea or lake, but even if you can not afford it, you can choose not to cause damage on the ground. You will be asked. "
In addition, since a part of the fuel tank was found near the residential area this time, "The US military pilot is aware that damage to the ground should never be done, and thoroughly implements procedures to ensure safety. I need to tell you to do it. "