Wednesday, November 22, 2017
TOKYO, JAPAN (AP) - The Latest on the crash in the Pacific of a U.S. Navy plane flying to the USS Ronald Reagan (all times local):
7:40 p.m.
The U.S. Navy says eight people who were recovered from the crash of a transport aircraft in the Pacific are in good condition and the search continues for three other missing personnel.
The Navy says in a tweet that the eight are on board the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier.
Their C-2 "Greyhound" transport plane crashed while on its way to the carrier on Wednesday in the Philippine Sea, where the U.S. and Japanese navies are holding exercises.
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5:15 p.m.
Japan's defense minister says eight of the crew and passengers on a plane that crashed while en route to the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier have been found, but it's unclear if they're alive.
The Defense Ministry says it had no information on their condition.
A spokesman quoted Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera as telling reporters Wednesday that the C-2 aircraft crashed into the Pacific about 150 kilometers (90 miles) northwest of Okinotorishima, a Japanese atoll. It was taking part in an ongoing joint U.S.-Japan naval exercise.
The U.S. Navy says the aircraft was carrying 11 crew and passengers.
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4:50 p.m.
The U.S. Navy says an aircraft carrying 11 crew and passengers has crashed into the Pacific Ocean while on the way to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan.
The Japan-based 7th Fleet says in a statement that the search and rescue operation has been launched from the carrier.
It says the ship was operating in the Philippine Sea when the crash occurred at 2:45 p.m. Japan time.
It says the names of the crew and passengers are being withheld pending next of kin notification.
US Navy plane with 11 aboard crashes into Pacific; 8 rescued Wednesday, November 22nd 2017, 3:01 am ESTWednesday, November 22nd 2017, 7:33 am EST
U.S. Navy Aircraft Crashes in Philippine Sea
By Commander, Task Force 70 Public Affairs | | November 22, 2017
PHILIPPINE SEA -- A United States Navy aircraft carrying 11 crew and passengers crashed into the ocean southeast of Okinawa at approximately 2:45 p.m. today.
The names of the crew and passengers are being withheld pending next of kin notification.
Personnel recovery is underway and their condition will be evaluated by USS Ronald Reagan medical staff.
The aircraft was en-route to the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), which is currently operating in the Philippine Sea.
USS Ronald Reagan is conducting search and rescue operations. The cause of the crash is not known at this time.
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In this March 22, 2007, file photo, the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, bottom, anchors as U.S. Aegis Ship passes after they arrive at Busan port for joint military exercises in Busan, South Korea. (Source: AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File) By KEN MORITSUGU
Associated Press
TOKYO (AP) - Eight people were rescued and three remained missing after a U.S. Navy plane crashed into the western Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, the Navy said.
The C-2 "Greyhound" transport aircraft came down about 500 nautical miles (925 kilometers) southeast of Okinawa as it was bringing passengers and cargo from Japan to the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier, the Navy said in a statement.
The Reagan was operating in the Philippine Sea during a joint exercise with Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force when the twin-propeller plane crashed at 2:45 p.m. Japan time. The cause of the crash was not immediately clear and the incident will be investigated, the Navy said.
Eight people were rescued about 40 minutes later. They were taken to the Reagan for medical evaluation and are in good condition, the Navy said.
U.S. and Japanese naval ships and aircraft are searching for the missing. Japan's Defense Ministry said the crash site is about 150 kilometers (90 miles) northwest of Okinotorishima, a Japanese atoll.
The names of the crew and passengers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Philippine military spokesman Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla said his military alerted its ships and aircraft shortly after learning about the crash but could not provide help because of the distance from the country.
The Nov. 16-26 joint exercise in waters off Okinawa has been described by the Navy as the "premier training event" between the U.S. and Japanese navies, designed to increase defensive readiness and interoperability in air and sea operations.
The Navy's Japan-based 7th Fleet has had two fatal accidents in Asian waters this year, leaving 17 sailors dead and prompting the removal of eight top Navy officers from their posts, including the 7th Fleet commander.
The USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker collided near Singapore in August, leaving 10 U.S. sailors dead. Seven sailors died in June when the USS Fitzgerald and a container ship collided off Japan.
The Navy has concluded that the collisions were avoidable and resulted from widespread failures by the crews and commanders, who didn't quickly recognize and respond to unfolding emergencies. A Navy report recommended numerous changes to address the problems, ranging from improved training to increasing sleep and stress management for sailors.
| Date: | 22-NOV-2017 |
| Time: | 14:45 LT |
| Type: |  Grumman C-2 Greyhound |
| Owner/operator: | US Navy (USN) |
| Registration: | |
| C/n / msn: | |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: / Occupants: 11 |
| Airplane damage: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | SE of Okinawa, Philippine Sea -
 Pacific Ocean
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni |
| USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) |
Narrative:
A United States Navy aircraft carrying 11 crew and passengers crashed into the ocean southeast of Okinawa at approximately 2:45 p.m. The aircraft was en-route to the carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), which is currently operating in the Philippine Sea. U.S. and Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force ships and aircraft are conducting search and rescue operations in the Philippine Sea.
Three people are missing. Eight people were rescued at 15:23 LT in good condition, according to 7th Fleet.
Sources:
http://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/1379117/us-navy-aircraft-crashes-in-philippine-sea/platform/hootsuite/
Japan's NHK news agency reports.
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20171122/k10011232271000.html?utm_int=news_contents_news-main_001&nnw_opt=news-main_a
https://www.nu.nl/buitenland/5017730/amerikaans-marinevliegtuig-neergestort-in-zee-bij-japan.html
https://news.usni.org/2017/11/22/3-missing-8-rescued-following-c-2a-crash-near-okinawa