thedrifter
08-01-07, 02:24 PM
Police report unidentified U.S. Marines to prosecutors over 2004 helicopter crash
NAHA -- Okinawa Prefectural Police on Wednesday filed documents to public prosecutors over an accident in the Okinawa Prefecture city of Ginowan in 2004 in which a helicopter carrying U.S. Marines crashed in the grounds of a university.
In documents sent to prosecutors, police accuse four unidentified U.S. Marine mechanics of violating Japan's law for punishment of dangerous aircraft activities. Police based the accusations on an accident report filed by the U.S. military.
However, under the Japan-U.S. Status-of-Forces Agreement, Japan does not have primary jurisdiction over the case because the accident occurred during the performance of duty. Accordingly, the Japanese investigation into the accident has effectively come to a close.
In the accident, which occurred on Aug. 13, 2004, a CH-53D transportation helicopter crashed into the grounds of Okinawa International University. Three passengers in the helicopter were injured, but since the accident occurred during the university summer vacation, no students were harmed.
Immediately after the accident, prefectural police filed requests to investigate the accident scene and seize the crashed helicopter, but the U.S. military refused, citing safety reasons. Police also requested the names of the people involved in the accident, including the pilot, but the U.S. military also refused this request citing privacy protection laws. (Mainichi)
August 1, 2007
Ellie
NAHA -- Okinawa Prefectural Police on Wednesday filed documents to public prosecutors over an accident in the Okinawa Prefecture city of Ginowan in 2004 in which a helicopter carrying U.S. Marines crashed in the grounds of a university.
In documents sent to prosecutors, police accuse four unidentified U.S. Marine mechanics of violating Japan's law for punishment of dangerous aircraft activities. Police based the accusations on an accident report filed by the U.S. military.
However, under the Japan-U.S. Status-of-Forces Agreement, Japan does not have primary jurisdiction over the case because the accident occurred during the performance of duty. Accordingly, the Japanese investigation into the accident has effectively come to a close.
In the accident, which occurred on Aug. 13, 2004, a CH-53D transportation helicopter crashed into the grounds of Okinawa International University. Three passengers in the helicopter were injured, but since the accident occurred during the university summer vacation, no students were harmed.
Immediately after the accident, prefectural police filed requests to investigate the accident scene and seize the crashed helicopter, but the U.S. military refused, citing safety reasons. Police also requested the names of the people involved in the accident, including the pilot, but the U.S. military also refused this request citing privacy protection laws. (Mainichi)
August 1, 2007
Ellie