Mayor Files Complaint On The AF's Handling Of Incident

The US Air Force released its report Friday on the October 24 crash of a Cessna 172 carrying four unidentified US airmen based at Okinawa's Kadena Air Base.

The report says the Cessna experienced engine failure on its return flight to Kadena Air Base because the "pilot failed to use good judgment" and "due to improper fuel planning, the plane did not have enough fuel to make the entire trip."

As ANN reported, the four airmen were returning from a pleasure trip to Amami Island in a Kadena Aero Club plane when it ran out of fuel. The pilot landed the plane in a sugar cane field, clipping power lines and knocking out power to about 700 homes in the Makiya district in Nago.

The pilot and his three passengers were not seriously injured.

Since the incident happened on Japanese soil, Okinawa Prefectural Police have the authority to press negligence charges against the pilot if determined by the police to be warranted, 18th Wing spokesman Maj. John Hutcheson said.

"The Okinawa Prefectural Police will review the investigation report - in addition to the investigation they've already done," Hutcheson said. "We hope that they will make a timely decision on whether or not to take some action."

The Cessna was recovered at the crash site the day after the incident, drawing fire from Nago Mayor Yoshikazu Shimabukuro, who filed a complaint on the handling of the matter with Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, Okinawa area coordinator and commander of Marine Corps Bases Japan.

All flights from the Kadena Aero Club have been suspended after the accident until a review of preventive measures and procedures can be completed, Hutcheson said. The flying club serves as a flight training center and offers servicemen recreational island flight tours.

Hutcheson said US Forces Japan commander Air Force Lt. Gen. Edward Rice Jr. is reviewing the incident and will evaluate the report's recommendations and decide if the pilot of the plane will face disciplinary action from the Air Force, Stars and Stripes reported.

FMI: www.kadena.af.mil