US hybrid aircraft Osprey crashes off Japan with 8 crew
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The visual of the Osprey aircraft landed off the coast of Nago six years ago, photo courtesy of The Guardian
Tokyo: A spokesperson for U.S. forces said they are collecting details about the crash of a US aircraft into the ocean in western Japan.
Aircraft V-22 Osprey aircraft crashed on Wednesday with eight people onboard, Reuters reported citing Japan’s coast guard.
The coast guard’s spokesperson said there were no further details including of those onboard.
It is reported that the crash took place near Japan's Yakushima Island about 2:47 p.m. local time.
Witnesses said the aircraft with its left engine on fire descended towards the sea, according Japanese broadcaster MBC.
A previous crash of US Osprey in August off the coast of northern Australia killed three US Marines.
In December 2016, another one crash-landed in the ocean off Japan’s Island of Okinawa.
Following this crash, the US military temporarily grounded the aircraft.
The aircraft is capable of flying both like a helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft.
It is operated by the U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy and the Japan Self Defense Forces.
Critics questioned deployment of the aircraft in Japan alleging that the hybrid aircraft is prone to accident.
However, both the US and Japan claimed it is safe.