What happened
A training flight operated by the 31st Squadron ended in an emergency water landing approximately 40 km northeast of Cape Ashizuri. The four-engine seaplane had departed from Iwakuni AFB with 19 crew members on board to perform a scheduled mission over the ocean. During the flight, the aircraft experienced a mechanical failure that necessitated an immediate emergency descent. Upon impact with the water, the aircraft sustained significant damage, including the loss of one engine and one float, leaving the plane partially submerged.
All 19 individuals on board were successfully rescued from the wreckage. While there were no fatalities, the incident resulted in four injuries among the crew. The aircraft was declared a total loss due to the extent of the structural damage sustained during the crash.
Findings
During the descent and impact, the aircraft suffered the loss of an engine and a float. The specific reason the crew was forced to attempt the emergency landing remains undetermined.