Overview
- The transport ministry said on Nov. 24 that the unmanned aircraft’s propeller and vertical tail struck the runway while landing at Kitakyushu Airport on Nov. 23.
- No injuries were reported, and a Japan Coast Guard photo shows visible damage to the tail section.
- The Transport Safety Board began an investigation on Nov. 24 and assigned two accident investigators.
- The runway was temporarily closed after the landing, which caused limited disruptions to commercial flights.
- The aircraft is a General Atomics MQ‑9B Sea Guardian measuring about 11 meters in length with a wingspan of roughly 24 meters.