Photo/Illutration The flight data recorders of two SH-60K patrol helicopters that crashed in the Pacific Ocean on April 20 (Provided by the Maritime Self-Defense Force)

The flight data recorders of two Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopters that crashed over the Pacific Ocean indicated there were no abnormalities with either aircraft, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said April 22.

The SH-60K patrol helicopters crashed about 270 kilometers east of Torishima island in the Izu island chain, south of Tokyo, during late-night anti-submarine training on April 20.

Four crew members were aboard each helicopter. One member was confirmed dead, and the SDF and the Japan Coast Guard are continuing to search for the remaining seven.

The Defense Ministry believes that the helicopters likely collided before the crash because the flight data recorders were recovered from two locations close to each other in the sea.

The waters around the accident site are about 5,500 meters deep. The engines and other major helicopter parts have not been located. 

The MSDF plans to use an oceanographic research ship to survey the seabed topography.

Six aircraft, including three helicopters, and nine vessels were participating in the April 20 training exercise to detect and track a submarine.

The accident occurred one year after a Ground SDF multipurpose helicopter crashed off Miyakojima island in Okinawa Prefecture, killing 10 crew members.

(This article was written by Daisuke Yajima and Nen Satomi.)

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