Dramatic news has emerged from Japan, as the country's defense ministry confirms that two of its naval helicopters crashed in a training exercise this weekend.
The ministry has done an initial analysis of flight data recorders recovered from the crash, and that data apparently showed no sign of mechanical problems, which means the most likely cause at this stage is human error.
One of the eight crew members involved has been confirmed as dead, while the search continues for the remaining seven.
The helicopters were apparently taking part in anti-submarine training on Saturday night, and likely came too close to each other, according to Defense Minister Minoru Kihara.
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According to officials, the two SH-60K reconnaissance helicopters from the Maritime Self-Defense Force lost contact late Saturday near Torishima island, about 600 kilometers (370 miles) south of Tokyo.
With parts of the helicopters missing and the search ongoing, recovery of both helicopters and crew members could be a major challenge, since the ocean in the area is extremely deep at 5.5km (3.4m).
It comes as Japan ramps up its defense in the Pacific and East China Sea, to counter threats from China's military.
Recent years have seen other training incidents involving Japanese helicopters, which led to a review that made recommendations about safety protocols specifically how close helicopters could get to each other.
In 2017, a Japanese navy SH-60J crashed and killed three crew members in an accident that was later found to have been caused by human error.
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In July 2021, meanwhile, two SH-60s had a minor collision that didn't result in any injuries.
According to navy chief of staff Ryo Sakai, if the new measures had all been followed to the letter then the crash shouldn't have happened.
Whether that prompts more reviews into the implementation of these measures will remain to be seen.
Officials have been able to glean a decent amount about the accident so far, since flight data recorders from the two aircraft were found close together. Also discovered nearby were a blade from each helicopter, some crew helmets and fragments believed to be from both aircraft.
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This all led officials to judge the two helicopters must have crashed in close proximity. The search has continued into Monday, so we can only hope that some survivors are found.
Featured Image Credit: RICHARD A. BROOKS / Contributor / Perytskyy / Getty