On Thursday, around 12:30 p.m., a Japanese Air Self-Defense Force F2 fighter jet crashed while carrying out training missions off the coast of Ibaraki Prefecture. The sole pilot on board ejected in time and was rescued by a rescue helicopter, facing no life-threatening injuries. The Self-Defense Force has initiated an investigation into the accident.
According to reports from the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), the fighter jet belonged to the Hyakuri Base in Ibaraki Prefecture and was engaged in a training flight formation with another F2 aircraft at the time of the incident. It is known that the aircraft was equipped with a Flight Data Recorder (FDR), and the relevant data will aid in the subsequent investigation.
The F2 fighter jet is a multi-purpose combat aircraft exclusively used by the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force, jointly developed by Japan and the United States. It has been in official service with the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force since 2000, measuring approximately 15 meters in length with a wingspan of around 11 meters, available in both single-seat and two-seat models. The single-seat variant involved in the crash is primarily stationed at bases like Hyakuri and is expected to gradually retire starting from 2035.
This is not the first incident involving an F2 fighter jet. In February 2019, an F2 fighter jet from the Chitose Base in Fukuoka Prefecture experienced a stall during simulated aerial combat training and crashed into the waters off Yamaguchi Prefecture. The pilot ejected safely, escaping unharmed. In November 2021, two F2 jets had a mid-air collision during training over Yamaguchi Prefecture, fortunately returning safely without serious consequences.
Furthermore, in May of this year, a T-4 trainer jet from the Nyutabaru Base in Miyazaki Prefecture crashed into Inokaike in Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture shortly after takeoff, resulting in the tragic deaths of two pilots.
The series of recent military aircraft accidents have raised concerns among the public regarding the flight safety and training systems of the Air Self-Defense Force. In response, relevant authorities have stated that they will thoroughly investigate the causes of accidents and review training and maintenance procedures to prevent similar incidents from happening again.