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TOKYO: Japanese police on Thursday searched a factory of major industrial maker Mitsubishi Heavy Industries over the crash of a fighter jet as a company executive apologised for the accident.
The Japanese F-2 fighter jet burst into flames just after takeoff at Nagoya airport in central Japan on Wednesday although its two pilots managed to escape with relatively minor injuries.
"Eight personnel from the prefectural police came over. The search is going on" at the Komaki Minami factory, which was in charge of maintenance of the jet, a Mitsubishi Heavy spokesman said.
It is not yet certain whether a human error or mechanical trouble caused the accident but Mitsubishi Heavy offered an apology for causing concern among local residents.
"We deeply apologise for causing worries and nuisance to the people concerned," Mitsubishi Heavy managing director Nobuo Toda said, bowing as he met with Aichi prefectural governor Masaaki Kanda.
The Nagoya airport is located in Aichi prefecture, an industrial hub which is also home to auto giant Toyota Motor Corp.
Police said they were probing the case but declined to disclose further details. Local media said they were searching the factory on suspicion of professional negligence.
The plane was about to start its first test flight since it was docked for regular check-ups.
It nosedived immediately after takeoff at the airport, which is also used by the Japanese air force, and glided on its tail over the runway before swerving off into the grass, television footage showed.
The fire on the plane, estimated to be worth 12 billion yen (100 million dollars), was put out in half an hour.
Resembling the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the F-2 has been the mainstay of officially pacifist Japan's air force since 2000.
- AFP/so
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