TOKYO, March 29 (Xinhua) -- A Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) helicopter made an emergency landing at an airport in western Japan on Thursday, according to public broadcaster NHK.
The GSDF UH-1 chopper made the emergency landing at around 8:15 a.m. (2315 GMT Wednsday) at Yonago airport in Tottori Prefecture, the airport operator said.
None of the crew members aboard sustained any injuries, according to the operator's latest assessment.
The runway at the airport located in the city of Sakaiminato had to be closed for around two hours due to the incident.
Local media video footage showed the chopper had touched down close to the runway on a stretch of grassy land that flanks the runway.
Along with commercial aircraft, Yonago airport is also used by the the Air Self-Defense Force's Miho Air Base, the Transport Ministry said.
According to the Tottori prefectural government, the helicopter was on its way to help put out a fire in nearby Shimane Prefecture when it was forced to halt its mission and make the emergency landing.
