US Air Force Osprey aircraft crashes over Japanese waters, 1 dead, multiple missing

The U.S. military experienced a horrific tragedy this week after one of its aircraft went down over the water near Japan.

According to Fox News, a U.S. military V-22 Osprey aircraft carrying eight crewmembers crashed off the shore of western Japan, near Yakushima Island.

At least one of the airmen aboard the Special Operations Osprey aircraft has been located and pronounced deceased. The others, at the time of this writing, are still missing.

WATCH LIVE: Pentagon holds briefing as search continues for crashed U.S. Osprey off Japan's coast https://t.co/ftyMwf0ubp

— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) November 30, 2023

A U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command spokesperson provided a statement clarifying earlier reports regarding the tragic crash.

"A United States Air Force CV-22B Osprey from Yokota Air Base, Japan, assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Wing, was involved in an aircraft mishap while performing a routine training mission off the shore of Yakushima Island, Japan with eight Airmen on board," the spokesperson said.

They added, "The crew’s conditions are unknown at this time. Emergency personnel are on scene conducting search and rescue operations. The cause of the mishap is currently unknown. Further information will be released as it becomes available."

Update on the US Osprey crash off the Southern coast of Japan:

US Special Operations Command states the aircraft was from Yokota Air Base and assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Wing.

It attempted an emergency sea landing and “it’s pilot did everything possible until the… pic.twitter.com/QchZZBHaV7

— 🇺🇸ProudArmyBrat (@leslibless) November 29, 2023

Fox News noted:

According to Japanese media, local authorities said witnesses saw the aircraft's left engine on fire as it descended at around 2:47 p.m. local time near the island's airport.

It disappeared from radar shortly before the crash at 2:40 p.m., according to Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno via Reuters.

Osprey aircraft have been the source of great controversy in past years, as some say they're prone to more accidents. There have been several deadly accidents involving the aircraft in recent years.

Japan, after suspending its own Osprey flights in the wake of the most recent crash, requested the U.S. military do the same.

The U.S. military has ignored the request, and has continued to keep the aircraft in operation, according to reports.

Japan has grounded its Osprey military aircraft one day after the deadly crash of a U.S. Air Force Osprey off its southern coast. Japan is also asking the United States to suspend their Osprey flights, pending a safety review. pic.twitter.com/4sTHJSiof0

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 30, 2023

As of this writing, search crews are still attempting to locate the missing airmen. May God help them.