Last year, a Ground Self-Defense Force helicopter crashed off the coast of Miyakojima in Okinawa Prefecture, killing 10 people, and the Ground Self-Defense Force is planning to fully resume flight training for the same type of aircraft from next Monday (April 1st). We decided on this and explained it to the relevant local governments.
In April last year, a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force UH60 helicopter crashed off the coast of Miyakojima, Okinawa Prefecture, killing all 10 people on board, and a phenomenon called ``rollback'' occurred in which the engine's output gradually decreased. The results of the investigation have been made public, indicating that the plane crashed.
After the accident, the Ground Self-Defense Force suspended flight training using the same type of aircraft except in and around military bases, but it has established procedures for emergency operations in the event of a "rollback" and is disseminating them to its troops. We have implemented measures to prevent a recurrence and have decided to fully reopen from next Monday.
A total of 39 aircraft of this type are deployed in seven units across Japan, including Kanto, Kyushu, and Okinawa, and flights will also be conducted in locations other than military bases.
According to Ministry of Defense officials, flight routes for training will be determined by each unit, and by the 29th they have explained to relevant local governments measures to prevent recurrence of the accident and plans to resume training.