MCAS Futenma’s Ospreys have an 8.3% crash rate, 10 total incidents since deployment

MCAS Futenma’s Ospreys have an 8.3% crash rate, 10 total incidents since deployment

Accidents and Malfunctions of MV 22 Ospreys stationed at MCAS Futenma


August 11, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

The MV-22 Ospreys, vertical takeoff-capable transport helicopters stationed at MCAS Futenma, has experienced a total of 10 accidents and emergency landings since being deployed in 2012.

This was reported by officials from the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly’s U.S. military base special committee (MBSC) on August 10.

This includes two crashes, one which occurred in December of 2016 in Abu in Nago City, and another which occurred August 5 off the coast of Australia.

This brings the crash rate for the 24 Ospreys at MCAS Futenma to 8.3%.

The 10 accidents and malfunctions consist of one case of instrument malfunction, one case of a dropped water bottle, two cases of a helicopter part falling, three emergency landings (including preventative landings), one case of a “belly landing” (landing without the landing gears), and two crashes.

Kiichiro Jahana, head of the Executive Office of the Governor, said regarding the continued accidents and malfunctions of the Ospreys, “Over 30 people have died worldwide. The helicopters fly over the heads of Okinawans daily, and [the U.S. military] does nothing to assuage their fears.

It is a gravely alarming problem,” indicating his concern over the continuing Osprey flights.

Jahana added, “We must continue to demand the decommissioning of the Ospreys to both the U.S. and Japanese governments,” declaring that Okinawa would continue to work towards decommissioning the Ospreys.

(Translations by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

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