U.S. F-16 crashes into sea off Hokkaido

Three F-16's left Misawa Base for Alaska. After this F-16 crashed, the other two F-16's returned to Misawa Base. Hope the missing pilot is rescued soon.

I wonder if the Governor's of Hokkaido and from Aomori, where Misawa is located, go ask the US Air Force to guarantee the safety of the F-16's before they allow them to fly again.

I pray that the pilot is safe.

F-16 crash into the sea like flies on your car's windshield. But no worries the V-22 Ospreys can fly over your town, it's safe.

F-16 crash into the sea like flies on your car's windshield. But no worries the V-22 Ospreys can fly over your town, it's safe.

Exactly, Brother Cos.

But then, we have to be defended from China and North Korea. (sarcasm)

Wha-?

Not content with simply randomly dropping aircraft parts on towns surrounding US bases, the US military is now dropping entire planes onto Japanese territory??

What next - Osprey's ???

It is a s single engine jet, so if that engine dies over water, thats it. In it endless wisdom, the J-government has decided on single-jets for their own future aircraft with the F35. Great idea... not

@willi B:The J-government has decided on single-jets for their own future aircraft with the F35. Great idea... not!!!

Do they have the rights to choose or build it by their own? Good idea...NOT!!!

470 nautical miles northeast of Nemuro

I am honestly surprised the russians didn't go out there and detain the pilot for being in disputed waters

He probably had to ditch b/c of where he was not many options when you are that far from home, and can't limp the jet the rest of the way...... and don't want to try to risk an emergency landing at a Russian base..... no telling how long the might hold on to you

Hope the pilot is all right, and hope that all pilots always choose to crash into the sea/mountain when they hopelessly can't do better any more, to avoid densely populated residences, college campuses, school grounds, etc. This is at least they can do it and pilots courtesy even if they might die of it.

I hope all of Japan is preying for his safety as he is on the front lines of protecting Japan

oops

there goes legitimacy and persuasion ahead of the Osprey stuff

That's it! No more F-16 flights until they pass safety checks!

Wow... one jet crashed... and when was the last time, and how many people killed? NONE, thanks to the experience and training of the pilot. Hope he's safe and doing well. Accidents happen, and thankfully this was no worse than it was.

@CrazyJoeJul. 22, 2012 - 03:04PM JST

Hope the missing pilot is rescued soon.

Where sharks...

Don't worry! The pilot was already rescued by Japanese fishermen.

he is on the front lines of protecting Japan

Avenger-san

There are no front lines.

There is no war.

There is nothing to protect Japan from.

"There is nothing to protect Japan from"

Har!

But then, we have to be defended from China and North Korea. (sarcasm)

Their toys would fly further than 470 nautical miles before crashing ? That would be embarrassing for the Batman army... Frankly, what we need in Japan is a fleet of Evergreen Supertankers, with a stock of anti-Tepco-blunder liquid.

Hope the pilot is all right,

Don't worry. He's wet, he will dry.

Not fair to the USAF and accidents happen. Have found out the pilot has been rescued. Lets wait on the accident report. Oh Cos the water there is cold, very cold

@YuriOtaniJul. 22, 2012 - 11:00PM JST

Oh Cos the water there is cold, very cold

Now there water is not cold. There sharks. He swam with them. Sharks is more dangerous than cold water.

Now there water is not cold.

Oh - its cold.

Accidents can happen for a million different reasons and can affect any aircraft, car, train, boat etc.

There are thousands of F-16s used by many nations in the world, including a spin off variant, the Japanese built Mitsubishi F2 (which is larger than the F16). For over 30 years the F16 has pretty much a stellar career, it's not like you have an F16 falling out of the sky for no good reason everyday.

Given the northern latitudes, the waters around Hokkaido and Alaska are still very cold even in the summer. Pilots are required to wear "poopie suits" (an insulated rubber water survival suit) for long hops over the pond in cold latitudes to protect them from hypothermia. The thing is like a body condom and is difficult to put on and take off and stinks with sweat after use but it can be a lifesaver in an ejection over cold water.

The F-16 Viper (fighting falcon) is a proven jet with an excellent safety record. However, its single engine design would make it more prone to crashes if it experienced engine failure hence its reputation as a potential "lawn dart".

Glad the driver made it back safely.

Peace on Earth through Superior Firepower!!

@maitai62

Funny, to maintain peace we need fire power, violence to maintain peace. Ironic!

Tiger_In_The_Hermitage

" Funny, to maintain peace we need fire power, violence to maintain peace. Ironic! "

It has been the way of the world since mankind exists. You can find it funny, or you can acknowledge reality.

Just alittle info from CNN on this: A pilot who ejected after a U.S. fighter jet crashed into the waters off northern Japan on Sunday was rescued and was in stable condition, military officials said. The pilot was the sole person aboard an F-16 Fighting Falcon, which crashed about 200 miles northeast of Hokkaido Island. Japanese Coast Guard, Japan Self Defense Forces, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and civilian vessels were among those agencies that worked to retrieve the pilot, now aboard a U.S. commercial vessel. "We are thankful for the support from our Japanese friends and other agencies committed to ensuring the safe recovery of our airman," said Col. Al Wimmer, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander. "The tireless efforts of everyone involved ensured a successful recovery," Wimmer added. "We are extremely grateful for their assistance and humbled by the rapid and skilled response. We are proud to be a part of such an effective alliance and send our most heartfelt thanks to all those involved." The pilot was not identified. The cause of the incident will be investigated. The craft was en route to North America when the crash occurred.

Glad the Pilot is ok.

But stating the obvious that the F-16 is a single seat fighter, The F-16B is a double-seat plane and the training version so it wouldn't be in Japan.

Now when will they put the F-16XL into service, been on the drawing board for decades.

Would not want to go into the northern Pacific even with a "poopie suit"! Think of the trauma of ejecting and then hitting the water. Cutting off the chute and getting the raft ready and getting into it. My guy told me about a man in his unit, one of the engines fod out and exploded. He went to eject and was rewarded with a "SOL" note. He managed to land at wallops island. So this is another element to contend, sabotage.

BertieWooster

There are no front lines. There is no war. There is nothing to protect Japan from.

Thanks. I couldn't have done a better job of demonstrating "heiwa-boke" myself if I'd tried...