Police find body of pilot in SDF chopper crash

Very sad indeed. I'm sure the pilots did all they could to avert an even bigger tragedy.

RIP sirs!

Hope that little girl recovers both physically and mentally.

Any loss of life is sad, but when an accident like this happens there is nothing that the pilots could do, poor chaps, as for the little girl she was VERY lucky to escape. I hope they find out what caused the crash, mainly the rotor blades to be come detached, I bet there are few mechanics petrified back at the base!

Terrible...hope the little girl is ok...

Rest in Peace MSgt. Hiroki Takayama and Lt Col Kenichi Saito. Condolences to your families, friends and to members of the Ground Self-Defense Force.

Speedy recovery to the 11 year old; I hope the homeowners receive full compensation.

Recent US military flight problems seemed to get a totally different spin on the story despite no loss of life or major damage to civilian areas on the ground.

just thinking.

If that was a US military aircraft I think a lot of people would be freaking out and demanding their withdraw from Japan. However since it is a Japanese aircraft maybe those same people are just saying how sad and shoganai.

Sadly for the pilot's family, his body will only be identifiable using dental records

There does seem to be a noticeable difference of tone in the reporting compared to the reports of comparatively minor and casualty free accidents involving US aircraft. I would expect a more ballanced and neutral stance from a news organisation, at least one that has any pretensions to respectability.

The lack of frenetic (even frothing at the mouth) demands for their immediate withdrawal and the closure of the base is to be expected, such posters are by their nature biased and in no way interested in balance or reasoned facts.

RIP the airmen who had no chance once the rotor detached. Helicopters at the best of times are flying bricks.

Did JSDF purchase defective helicopters like US military forces in Okinawa?

Did JSDF purchase defective helicopters like US military forces in Okinawa?

Once again, can't even discuss the tragic loss of life of an aircrew without trying to criticize the US military.

People have died and the wreckage has barely been searched but people keep bringing the US Military and baseless accusations of defective helicopters. Making such remarks is pretty heartless and disgusting thing to do and an insult to these pilots.

Rest easy GSDF members who have lost their lives and condolences to their families.

The difference is the JSDF protects Japan while the US forces protect American interests. Our comrades perished defending Japan.

People have died and the wreckage has barely been searched but people keep bringing the US Military and baseless accusations of defective helicopters. Making such remarks is pretty heartless and disgusting thing to do and an insult to these pilots.

Followed by this

The difference is the JSDF protects Japan while the US forces protect American interests. Our comrades perished defending Japan.

Sad.

Unbelievably irresponsible maintenance is likely responsible for this.

A rotor never just separates - the only other thing I can imagine causing this, is Mast Bumping, but AFAIK the AH-64 is a fully articulated rotor and does not suffer from mast bumping.

Whoever did the maintenance and signed off on it has a lot to answer for. Very sad.

When are the air forces going to learn that flight over housing is dangerous? That young girl is terribly lucky to be alive. Helicopter flights at the very least, should be directed over sparsely populated areas. There is no lack of unpopulated mountainous regions in Japan, while flying over mountains is rotten luck for stricken pilots it does spare the millions of people on the ground from incidents like these.

YuriOtaniToday 02:54 am JST

The difference is the JSDF protects Japan while the US forces protect American interests. Our comrades perished defending Japan.

I think you need to read the text of the US-Japan Mutual Defense Treaty as well as the JSDF's ability to assist allied forces. Sure the US forces protect US interests but that includes protecting Japan.

To think that the men who perished underwent and passed several mentally and physically strenuous exams to be where they are, only to die because of someone else's negligence is beyond the mere word sorrow. RIP dear soldiers!!

toshikoFeb. 6  09:38 pm JST

Did JSDF purchase defective helicopters like US military forces in Okinawa?

Got news for you: The JSDF Apaches are manufactured under license in Japan by Fuji Heavy Industries

What do you have to say now?

Correction to previous post w/o quotes:

Got news for you: The JSDF Apaches are manufactured under license in Japan by Fuji Heavy Industries. What do you have to say now?

Rest in Peace, warriors.