July 5, 2011
TOKYO (AFP) - A Japanese fighter jet pilot went missing Tuesday after an apparent crash during a training flight over the East China Sea, the Air Self-Defense Force said.
The pilot, operating alone, sent an emergency signal around 10:33 am (0133 GMT), and his jet disappeared off the radar about 180 kilometres (110 miles) northwest of Okinawa island, an air force spokesman said.
A military search plane later spotted a tail section of the jet in the sea, amid an oil slick and smoke.
"We have not found the pilot yet," the spokesman said. Five military aircraft and three coast guard ships were conducting a search.
