The cockpit cover of a Japanese F2 fighter jet in flight fell off and the fighter made an emergency landing.
According to Kyodo News, the cockpit cover of an Air Self-Defense Force F2 fighter jet flying over Asakusa, Fukuoka Prefecture suddenly fell off at around 12:50 noon on the 10th.
The fighter jet, which launched from Tsuiki Air Base in Fukuoka Prefecture, returned to its base 19 minutes after takeoff with the cockpit exposed, and one pilot was reported to be unharmed.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense said that the plane was performing an emergency launch mission in response to a foreign aircraft likely to invade airspace, and the cover was found to have fallen in the mountainous area and the search was being conducted.
The Air Self-Defense Force is using this accident as an opportunity to check all F2 fighters for any abnormalities, and check if there are any more parts that have fallen off the plane.
The F2 is an old fighter operated by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and the Japanese government is pushing for the development of a next-generation fighter to replace the F2, which is scheduled to be retired from about 2035.
(Photo = provided by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Yonhap News)
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