The Fukuoka Prefectural Government Friday denied a possible crash of a Self-Defense Force helicopter based on a search following a report from a local resident.
According to the prefectural government, the resident who reported to a fire department in Hita, Oita Prefecture, said a grayish aircraft disappeared as it rotated.
It was confirmed that a U.S. Navy C130 transport aircraft was flying near the site at the time, but since there was no report of an accident related to a C130, authorities judged a crash had not occurred.
The Joint Staff Office said it has confirmed the status of all SDF aircraft and found no information related to an accident.