[5] The aircraft involved, registration JG-3106/43106, was a Mitsubishi UH-60JA, which was based on the Sikorsky S-70, commonly known as the Blackhawk, was used by all of the branches of Japan Self-Defense Forces.

[7][8] At about 15:53:17, the security camera installed facing north at Ikema Elementary and Junior High School in Miyakojima captured the helicopter flying normally.

In addition, former Lt. Gen. Koichi Isobe (was a helicopter pilot), who confirmed these two videos, said, "It looks like it was flying normally, not in a way that would interfere with the flight.

[5][9] It was also around this point that an American tourist, a former sailor of the US Navy, took a video of the helicopter flying at about 400–450 metres (1,310–1,480 feet) in altitude along the eastern coast of Ikema Island.

[5][8][13] After late March 2023, the involved helicopter underwent a special inspection after flying for 50 hours, and as a result of a safety confirmation flight, it was determined that there were no problems with the aircraft.

[8][14][15] Around 8:30 on April 16, a saturation diver who dived from the submarine rescue ship "Chihaya" found the fuselage of the accident aircraft and five people (which looked like crew members) on the seabed at a depth of 106 metres (348 feet) on the north side of the Irabu Island.

However, in the case of Ground Self-Defense Force helicopters, since most of their flights are on land, if a small FDR separates in the event of an accident, even if there is a strobe light, it is rather difficult to search in the wilderness or forest, and it is easy for the enemy to take it away.

Also, an electromagnetic wave attack would affect air traffic control and private communications on Miyako Island, but there are no reports or testimonials to that effect.

[20] In the congress, a party member brought up the accident and asked, "Is there absolutely no connection between the Chinese warship passing between the main island of Okinawa and Miyakojima just before?"

[21] Taro Yamato, Deputy Director-General of the Joint Staff Office of the Ministry of Defense, said, "The actions of the Chinese naval vessels all took place in the early hours of the 6th, and since they differed greatly from the time of the accident, they cannot be considered to be related.

"[22][23] Former General Takashi Fukuyama said, "It is impossible to shoot down with an existing modern weapon because there is no radar detection and no evidence of the explosion sound.

The Chinese side would suffer a massive disadvantage if it were discovered that they had shot down a high-ranking officer's plane, so there is almost no possibility.