as the one that crashed on Monday. Photo: JGSDF via AP
SDF chopper crashes in residential area in Saga
A Ground Self-Defense Force helicopter crashed in a residential area in southwestern Japan on Monday afternoon, setting one empty home ablaze and possibly killing the two crew members aboard, local authorities said.
as the one that crashed on Monday. Photo: JGSDF via AP
The AH-64 attack helicopter, which belongs to the GSDF Metabaru Camp, crashed in the city of Kanzaki in Saga Prefecture around 4:45 p.m. The accident site was near a kindergarten, but the pupils are all safe, according to its operator.
An elementary school student who lived in the house suffered a minor injury, NHK reported.
“We are confirming whether there are any deaths and damage,” Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters, adding that the helicopter is believed to have nose-dived when flying from east to west.
The Defense Ministry said the helicopter was trying to land after the crew reported some irregularities.
A resident who lives near the accident site said two or three loud bangs were heard. Black smoke was also seen billowing from the area.
A city-run elementary school is also located nearby and the school principal said the helicopter seems to have crashed “in a residential area several hundred meters away.”
Source:japantoday.com