オスプレイ配備 事故報告を再発防止に生かせ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 30, 2012)
Osprey accident report must be used to prevent recurrence
オスプレイ配備　事故報告を再発防止に生かせ（8月29日付・読売社説）

It is essential to analyze the cause of and background behind an accident and properly use the findings to work out steps to prevent a recurrence.
　事故の原因や背景の分析結果を、再発防止策の徹底にきちんと生かすことが肝要である。

The Defense Ministry has released a report that analyzed and assessed the crash of an MV-22 Osprey, a new transport aircraft of the U.S. Marine Corps, in Morocco in April.
　防衛省が、４月にモロッコで発生した米海兵隊の新型輸送機ＭＶ２２オスプレイの墜落事故に関する分析評価報告書を公表した。

The report concluded that the accident was the result of human error, saying it was caused by a series of operational errors by a copilot short on experience. At a time when gusts of wind up to 50.4 kph were blowing, the copilot is said to have ignored the flight manual by turning the aircraft so that it had a tailwind and tilted the rotor blades more than regulations allowed.
　報告書は、経験の浅い副操縦士がミスを重ねた「人的要因」が主たる事故原因と結論づけた。最大秒速１４メートルの強風の中、飛行マニュアルに反して、追い風を受ける方向に機体を旋回し、回転翼の角度を規定以上に傾けたという。

The report said there was no mechanical problem with the aircraft itself.
　オスプレイの機体自体は事故の要因ではない、としている。

Compiled based on the results of detailed investigations by the U.S. military, the report's content is convincing. It is not fair to say the Osprey is more accident-prone than other military helicopters.
　報告書は、米軍の詳細な事故調査に基づいており、納得できる内容だ。オスプレイが他のヘリコプターなどと比べて特に危険であるかのような評価は公平でない。

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Safety must come first

It is crucial to establish detailed procedures to ensure the aircraft operate safely. The U.S. Marine Corps has already revised the Osprey flight manual and has made it mandatory for pilots to conduct simulation training on the operation of the rotor blades when flying with a tailwind.
　大切なのは安全性を高める具体策だ。海兵隊は既に、飛行マニュアルを改訂したうえ、追い風時の回転翼操作の模擬訓練を操縦士に課す方針を示している。

An Osprey accident threatens the lives of U.S. personnel. It is natural for the U.S. military to earnestly examine how the aircraft can be operated safely. These safety measures should be confirmed by the Japanese side, too.
　事故は米兵の生命に直結する。米軍が安全確保に真剣に取り組むのは当然だが、日本側も、これを確認する必要があるだろう。

The Japan-U.S. Joint Committee has been discussing details of Osprey operations in Japan, such as limiting flights over densely populated areas and low-altitude flights. We hope the committee reaches an agreement that gives utmost consideration to ensuring safety.
　日米合同委員会では、人口密集地上空の飛行や低空飛行の制限など、オスプレイの国内運用の具体策を協議している。安全に最大限配慮した合意を目指したい。

The Defense Ministry plans to put together its final report on the Osprey's safety, including an assessment of an accident in Florida in June, as early as mid-September before deciding whether to give the green light to domestic flights by the aircraft.
　防衛省は９月中旬にも、６月の米フロリダ州での事故評価も含めて、オスプレイの安全性に関する最終的な見解をまとめ、国内飛行の是非の結論を出す予定だ。

Not only Okinawa Prefecture, where the Osprey will be deployed, but also some local governments in Honshu and elsewhere where training flights might be conducted have filed objections with the government against Osprey flights. Isn't this an overreaction?
　オスプレイが配備される沖縄県だけでなく、訓練飛行が行われる可能性のある本州などの一部自治体が飛行反対を政府に申し入れているが、過剰反応ではないか。

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Deployment in Okinawa vital

This training will be conducted to prepare for emergencies in Northeast Asia, and is linked to the national security of Japan. What must be kept in mind is why the Osprey will be deployed in Okinawa Prefecture.
　訓練は、北東アジア有事などに備えるもので、日本の安全保障につながっている。忘れてならないのは、なぜオスプレイを沖縄に配備するか、という点である。

Compared with the CH-46 transport helicopters deployed at the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in the same prefecture, the Osprey's cruising speed is more than two times faster and its cruising radius more than four times longer. For example, the Osprey could transport personnel and supplies to the Senkaku Islands in slightly less than one hour without refueling.
　オスプレイは、普天間飛行場に配備中のＣＨ４６輸送ヘリコプターと比べて、巡航速力は２倍以上、行動半径も４倍以上になる。尖閣諸島まで給油せずに１時間弱で人員や物資を運べることになる。

Deploying Ospreys will tremendously improve the joint operational capability of Japan and U.S. forces, and enhance their military deterrent. It can also be expected to beef up the defense of the Nansei Islands--including the Senkakus, which the U.S. government has committed to defend jointly with Japan--and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
　日米共同の作戦行動能力を大きく向上させ、抑止力も高まる。米政府が共同防衛の対象と明言する尖閣諸島を含む南西諸島の防衛に加え、人道支援や災害救援にも貢献が期待されよう。

In addition to the safety aspects of the Osprey, the government should explain fully to the public and local governments concerned about the significance of deploying the aircraft to boost the mobility of U.S. troops.
　政府は、オスプレイの安全性に加えて、こうした米軍の機動力向上の意義についても関係自治体や国民に説明を尽くすべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 29, 2012)
（2012年8月29日01時18分  読売新聞）