It is highly likely that a fire broke out in an engine of the U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey transport aircraft that recently crashed off a Japanese island, while it was flying in helicopter mode with the rotor facing up.
An Osprey has an engine structure integrated with a rotor at the end of the left and right main wings, and the rotor angle can be adjusted. When the rotors are directed upward, vertical takeoffs and landings are possible. High-speed flights are possible when the rotors are tilted forward.
The U.S. military, the Self-Defense Forces and the Japan Coast Guard were continuing search operations for seven missing crew members of the CV-22 Osprey on Sunday, and were also working to find the aircraft, which is believed to have sunk into the sea off Yakushima, Kagoshima Prefecture.