Naha Airport runway closed due to damaged JASDF F-15 fighter jet, civilian flights delayed and canceled
July 27, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
At around 9:17 a.m. on July 26, the landing light glass of an F-15 fighter jet belonging to the Naha Base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) was damaged when it took off from Naha Airport.
According to the Naha Airport Office of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the runway was closed for 47 minutes from 9:44 a.m. to 10:31 a.m. so that broken glass could be collected.
Twenty-six flights, including 11 arrival flights and 15 departure flights, were delayed for up to 52 minutes. Four flights were cancelled and five destinations were changed.
The JASDF’s Naha Base officials stated that the cause of the trouble was under investigation.
According to the Naha Base, a pilot of another F-15 fighter jet discovered that the landing light glass of his colleague’s fighter jet was broken immediately after takeoff.
The damaged fighter jet landed at the U.S. Air Force Kadena Air Base.
The JASDF inspected of the F-15 fighter jets.
Naha Base commander Kiyoaki Kawanami apologized saying, “We apologize for causing inconveniences to many people by closing the runway.”
(English translation by T&CT)
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