Japan's Air Self-Defense Force recovers object believed to be from crashed Global Hawk
In short
Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) said on October 8 that it had recovered an object thought to be part of a Global Hawk large unmanned reconnaissance aircraft that crashed off Tottori Prefecture on September 15. Which part of the aircraft it is was still being confirmed. A separate, relatively large object believed to be part of the aircraft lies about 50 km off Aoya-cho in Tottori City, and a recovery vessel is expected to start full-scale work there on October 13.
Read the full story 2 min read
Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) said on October 8 that it had recovered an object thought to be part of a Global Hawk large unmanned reconnaissance aircraft that crashed off Tottori Prefecture in September. According to the ASDF, a private vessel searching underwater with an unmanned submersible recovered the object the same day, the Tokyo Shimbun and Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reported. Which part of the aircraft it is was still being confirmed. The Mainichi Shimbun reported that the announcement was made on the night of October 8. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Separately, a relatively large object believed to be part of the aircraft has been found in waters about 50 km off Aoya-cho in Tottori City. TBS NEWS DIG reported that the ASDF had earlier announced finding the object, which appeared to be a structural part of the airframe, on the seabed at a depth of about 200 to 300 metres. According to the ASDF, a recovery vessel is expected to arrive at the site on October 13 and begin full-scale lifting work, the Tokyo Shimbun and Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reported. A Mainichi Shimbun headline said the Global Hawk could be recovered as early as the 13th and that most of it remains sunk. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
The aircraft belonged to ASDF Misawa Base in Aomori Prefecture. According to the Mainichi Shimbun, it took off from Misawa on the morning of September 15, and communication with its control equipment at Misawa was lost after 12:55 pm, after which it disappeared from radar. TBS NEWS DIG reported that communications were lost during a mission flight over the sea off Tottori Prefecture and that the aircraft crashed. [ 1 , 4 ]
The Mainichi Shimbun reported that a private salvage vessel contracted by the ASDF had been carrying out recovery work since October 2 in the area where part of the aircraft was found sunk. TBS NEWS DIG reported that this is the first crash of an ASDF unmanned aircraft. [ 1 , 4 ]
Why it matters
TBS NEWS DIG reported that this is the first crash of an ASDF unmanned aircraft. Recovering the wreckage is the next step in the ASDF's handling of the accident, and a Mainichi Shimbun headline said most of the aircraft remains sunk.
Key facts
- The ASDF announced on October 8 that it had recovered an object thought to be part of the crashed Global Hawk. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- According to the ASDF, the object was recovered by a private vessel searching underwater with an unmanned submersible; which part of the aircraft it is was still being confirmed. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The Global Hawk belonged to ASDF Misawa Base in Aomori Prefecture and crashed off Tottori Prefecture on September 15 after communications were lost. [ 1 , 4 ]
- A relatively large object believed to be part of the aircraft was found about 50 km off Aoya-cho, Tottori City. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- TBS NEWS DIG reported that the object lies on the seabed at a depth of about 200 to 300 metres. [ 1 ]
- A recovery vessel is expected to arrive at the site on October 13 and begin full-scale lifting work, according to the ASDF. [ 2 , 3 ]
- TBS NEWS DIG reported that this is the first crash of an ASDF unmanned aircraft. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The ASDF announced on October 8 that it had recovered an object thought to be part of the crashed Global Hawk. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- A relatively large object believed to be part of the aircraft was found about 50 km off Aoya-cho, Tottori City. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The Global Hawk belonged to ASDF Misawa Base in Aomori Prefecture and crashed on September 15. [ 1 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Which part of the aircraft the recovered object is. The ASDF said this was still being confirmed.
- Whether the salvage vessel working since October 2 and the recovery vessel due on October 13 are the same ship. The Mainichi Shimbun mentions a salvage ship working since October 2, while other outlets say a recovery vessel will arrive on October 13; the documents do not say how they relate.
- Why communications with the aircraft were lost. None of the documents gives a cause.
- Which part of the aircraft the recovered object comes from was still being confirmed. Reported by a single source so far
- A recovery vessel is expected to arrive at the site on October 13 to begin full-scale work. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Communication between the Global Hawk and its control equipment at Misawa was lost after this time, according to the Mainichi Shimbun; the aircraft then disappeared from radar. [ 4 ]
- A private salvage vessel contracted by the ASDF began recovery work in the area off Aoya-cho, according to the Mainichi Shimbun. [ 4 ]
- TBS NEWS DIG reported the ASDF announcement that an object thought to be part of the aircraft had been recovered. [ 1 ]
- The Mainichi Shimbun reported that the Global Hawk could be recovered as early as October 13 and that most of it remains sunk. [ 5 ]
- A recovery vessel is expected to arrive at the site and begin full-scale lifting work. [ 2 , 3 ]