Human error is the cause of the American helicopter crash down the playground of a Japanese elementary school.
US No.1 Marines helicopter squad announced that CH-53E helicopter crashed the window into the elementary school in Japan last week from the fault of technical staff. The door was designed to open in an emergency, but was unpacked because it was not properly bolted before the helicopter took off, Sputnik reported.
The incident occurred Dec. 13 when the CH-53E flew past the Futenma Daini Elementary School stadium, close to the US Marine Corps Base on Okinawa Island. Okinawa officials said about 50 students were present on the school grounds as the window fell. A 10-year-old boy suffered minor injuries but island officials did not confirm whether the helicopter window was correct.
This is the second time a US helicopter drops a component into a Japanese school. A transparent object also fell from a US plane on the roof of a kindergarten in Okinawa on December 7, but did not cause any injuries.
US Marine Corps officials confirmed that the squadrons and technical forces had undergone extensive training after the incident. Helicopter squadrons are also tested to detect problems related to windows.
"No. 1 Squadron has taken a number of measures to ensure the safety of CH-53E helicopters based in Okinawa, as well as the crew and surrounding communities. It causes anxiety in the community, "the spokesman said.
Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said yesterday he was waiting for the US military to take the necessary safety measures to avoid recurrence of the incident. Meanwhile, Japanese Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga called on US troops not to conduct flights through hospitals and schools on Okinawa.
However, the US Marines have resumed flying operations in the area, prompting the authorities and residents of Okinawa to be angry.
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