Flight data recorders from crashed Japanese navy helicopters show no sign of mechanical failure

TOKYO (AP) — An initial analysis of flight data recorders recovered from the crash of two Japanese navy helicopters showed no sign of mechanical problems, Japan’s defense minister said Monday, indicating likely human error. One of the eight crew members died and a search is continuing for the seven others.

Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said an initial analysis of data from the two flight data recorders on each helicopter showed no abnormality during their flight and that mechanical failure was most likely not the cause of the crash.

The two SH-60K reconnaissance helicopters from the Maritime Self-Defense Force lost contact late Saturday during nighttime anti-submarine training near Torishima island, about 600 kilometers (370 miles) south of Tokyo, officials said.

A crew member who was recovered early Sunday from the water was later pronounced dead. Searches continued Monday for the seven who were still missing, along with the fuselage of the aircraft. The seabed at the crash site east of Torishima is about 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) deep and the recovery is considered a challenge.

Officials believe the two helicopters likely came too close and collided, Kihara said.

The flight data recorders from the two aircraft were found close together, along with a blade from each helicopter, a number of helmets and fragments believed to be from both aircraft — signs the two SH-60Ks crashed almost at the same spot, officials said.

The twin-engine, multi-mission helicopters developed by Sikorsky and known as Seahawks were modified and produced in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Japan has about 70 of the modified Seahawks.

The crash comes as Japan, under its 2022 security strategy, accelerates its military buildup and fortifies its defenses on southwestern Japanese islands in the Pacific and East China Sea to counter threats from China’s increasingly assertive military. Japan in recent years has conducted its own extensive naval exercises as well as joint drills with the United States and other partners.

Saturday’s nighttime anti-submarine warfare training involved only the Japanese navy, navy chief of staff Ryo Sakai said.

In 2017, a Japanese navy SH-60J, an earlier generation Seahawk, crashed during nighttime training due to human error, killing three crew. In July 2021, two SH-60s had a minor collision off the southern island of Amami Oshima, with both suffering blade damage, but causing no injuries.

Following the 2021 collision, the navy introduced a set of measures aimed at ensuring enough distance between aircraft. Sakai said Saturday’s crash could have been prevented if all safety measures had been adequately followed.

In the U.S., the fatal crash of a MH-60S Seahawk during training off the coast of California in 2021 was attributed to mechanical failure from unsuspected damage during maintenance, according to the U.S. Navy.

Japanese navy chief of staff Ryo Sakai speaks during a press conference at Defense Ministry in Tokyo Sunday, April 21, 2024. Initial analysis of flight data recorders recovered from the waters in the Pacific near the crash site of the two Japanese navy helicopters showed no sign that mechanical problems in the aircraft caused the accident, Japan’s defense minister said Monday, as he indicated human error. (Kyodo News via AP)

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, left, and Japanese navy chief of staff Ryo Sakai, right, attend a press conference at Defense Ministry in Tokyo Monday, April 22, 2024. Initial analysis of flight data recorders recovered from the waters in the Pacific near the crash site of the two Japanese navy helicopters showed no sign that mechanical problems in the aircraft caused the accident, Japan’s defense minister said Monday, as he indicated human error. (Kyodo News via AP)

This image released by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force shows the retrieved components which are believed to be a part of a crashed helicopter, Sunday, April 21, 2024. Initial analysis of flight data recorders recovered from the waters in the Pacific near the crash site of the two Japanese navy helicopters showed no sign that mechanical problems in the aircraft caused the accident, Japan’s defense minister said Monday, as he indicated human error. (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force via AP)

This image released by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force shows a retrieved component which is believed to be a part of a crashed helicopter, Sunday, April 21, 2024. Initial analysis of flight data recorders recovered from the waters in the Pacific near the crash site of the two Japanese navy helicopters showed no sign that mechanical problems in the aircraft caused the accident, Japan’s defense minister said Monday, as he indicated human error. (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force via AP)

This image released by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force shows a retrieved component which is believed to be a part of a crashed helicopter, Sunday, April 21, 2024. Initial analysis of flight data recorders recovered from the waters in the Pacific near the crash site of the two Japanese navy helicopters showed no sign that mechanical problems in the aircraft caused the accident, Japan’s defense minister said Monday, as he indicated human error. (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force via AP)

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Nolan Arenado drove in three runs, Sonny Gray gave up three hits in seven innings and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago White Sox 3-0 on Friday night.

Gray (4-1) walked one and struck out five in his longest outing of the season as the Cardinals snapped a two-game losing streak. Gray retired the last eight and 13 of the final 14 batters he faced.

Gray said he needed to reset after pitching out of a two-out jam in the third inning.

“I’ve done this before, but I just came in here (the locker room) after the third, took all my clothes off and got redressed with new cleats, socks, underwear, pants, belt, jersey, hat,” Gray said. “It’s kind of like, you’re a new guy, let’s get started here.”

Gray lowered his ERA to 0.89 this season. He is the first pitcher in St. Louis franchise history to have a sub-1.00 ERA through his first five starts with the team since 1910.

“Can’t say enough about the way he prepares and his ability to execute,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “Just does a phenomenal job … he has a purpose behind every single pitch.”

The White Sox lost their fourth game in a row. It was the ninth time they were shut out this season.

JoJo Romero pitched a perfect eighth and Ryan Helsley retired all three batters he faced in the ninth to earn his 11th save in 12 opportunities.

Arenado’s two-run double gave the Cardinals a 2-0 lead in the first inning. It was Arenado’s first multi-RBI game since April 21.

He doubled again in the fifth to score Willson Contreras and make it 3-0. The hit knocked White Sox starter Brad Keller from the game.

“He’s starting to feel a lot better about his swing,” Marmol said. “That was a really good one there (in the first), drove in another one later in the game for insurance.”

Contreras had three hits, walked, stole a base and scored twice. But Gray said it was his work behind the plate that stood out.

“I felt I was getting a little open, a little pulley, and he kept giving me the cues that I needed,” Gray said. “And I was just working hard to fix it and make an adjustment. I would say after the third inning, I felt significantly better.”

Contreras called Gray’s stuff nasty.

“That’s what I’m here for, to be better for the guys and the pitching staff and I’m glad that what I said helped him,” Contreras said.

Keller (0-1) allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings. He gave up five hits, walked two and struck out five.

“I battled the whole night,” Keller said. “I felt like I always had someone on base, which sucked, want to clean that up, but all in all felt good. One to build on.”

Jared Shuster pitched 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief for the White Sox.

TRAINER’S ROOM

White Sox: INF Danny Mendick was scratched from the lineup due to lower back tightness.

Cardinals: LHP Steven Matz (lower back strain) was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to May 1 and RHP Kyle Leahy was recalled from Triple-A Memphis.

UP NEXT

RHP Lance Lynn (1-0, 2.64 ERA) will start for the Cardinals against RHP Erick Fedde (2-0, 2.60 ERA) on Saturday. Lynn, who pitched for the White Sox from 2001-03, is making his 10th career start against Chicago but first since 2019 as a member of the Texas Rangers. Fedde is coming off a career-high 8 1/3 innings in his last outing against Tampa Bay on Sunday.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

St. Louis Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar makes a catch against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Brad Keller delivers against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray delivers against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)

St. Louis Cardinals' Nolan Arenado (28) run the bases after hitting a two-run double against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)

St. Louis Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar makes a catch against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Brad Keller delivers against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray delivers against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)

St. Louis Cardinals' Nolan Arenado (28) run the bases after hitting a two-run double against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)