U.S. military aircraft crashes near Japan's Yakushima Island

A regional coast guard spokesperson confirmed the crash and stated that the plane belonged to the U.S. military. However, details about the aircraft's origin or base were not immediately available. The coast guard immediately responded to the incident, deploying patrol vessels and aircraft to the crash site.

The MV-22 Osprey is known for its unique "tiltrotor" flight system, enabling it to take off and land like a helicopter while flying like an airplane. The hybrid aircraft has been involved in several fatal accidents in recent years.

This incident follows a series of accidents involving Osprey aircraft. In August, an Osprey crashed in Australia during a routine training exercise, resulting in three fatalities. Another incident in San Diego in August 2022 claimed the lives of all five U.S. marines on board.

The Defense Department has previously defended the use of the MV-22 despite accidents, emphasizing its VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) capabilities developed by Boeing and Bell Helicopters. The rotors on each wing can rotate forward 90 degrees in flight, allowing it to operate like a conventional rotor-powered plane. (ILKHA)