Same Super Stallion model involved in accident resumes operations in Futenma

Same Super Stallion model involved in accident resumes operations in Futenma

First heavy-lift cargo helicopter Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion (same aircraft as the one that had the accident) resuming flight after taking off from U.S. military Futenma Air Station on December 19 around 12:23 p.m. in Kiyuna, Ginowan City (photograph taken by Keizo Shinzato)


December 19, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo Digital Edition

 

 

Following the accident in which a window from an U.S. military heavy-lift cargo helicopter Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion fell into the Futenma Daini Elementary School, the same model aircraft resumed its operations in the afternoon of December 19.

Around 12:23 p.m., the first Super Stallion took off from U.S. military Futenma Air Station in Ginowan City of Okinawa Prefecture.

It appears that the aircraft forcibly resumed operations despite the prefecture and local citizens of Ginowan City requesting the discontinuation of flights.

 

The aircraft resumed operations while accidents of U.S. military aircrafts continue to occur one after another.

Also, this occurred despite countermeasures to prevent further “human errors” have yet to be thoroughly implemented.

This “human error” was indicated during the Takae U.S. military helicopter fire accident that took place in October.

It seems that the pushback by the local citizens will intensify.

First heavy-lift cargo helicopter Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion taking off and resuming flight on December 19 at 12:24 p.m. in Kiyuna, Ginowan City (photograph taken by Keizo Shinzato)

 

 

On the morning of December 19, military personnel had been seen working around the Super Stallion at the U.S. military Futenma Air Station.

It seems that they were preparing the aircraft to resume operations.

Around 11:23 a.m., the propellers began to rotate, then the aircraft began to move about the runway, but then the engine was turned off.

The propellers to first Super Stallion began to rotate again around 12:22 p.m., it then took off and flew towards the northeast direction.

 

By 1:02 p.m., a second Super Stallion took off from the Futenma Air Station.

After that, the second Super Stallion came back to the Futenma Air Station, then took off once again with another Super Stallion around 1:07 p.m. By 2:03 p.m., a fourth Super Stallion took off.

 

The flight of the Super Stallion helicopter could be seen from the Futenma Daini Elementary School in which a separate Super Stallion had dropped a window into the grounds.

Heavy-lift cargo helicopter Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion after repeating take-off and landing on December 19 around 11:55 a.m. in Kiyuna, Ginowan City (photograph taken by Keizo Shinzato)

 

 

Meanwhile, the first Super Stallion that had been rotating its propellers since 11:23 a.m. repeated take-off and landing for a short time, then cut the engine on the runway.

It was then pulled away by a tow car and was returned to its original location before it came to the runway.

 

(English translation by T&CT and Chelsea Ashimine)

 

Go to Japanese

 


　


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