TOKYO, July 17 (Xinhua) -- A Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) aircraft became stranded on the runway of Naha airport in the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa on Tuesday, causing the runway to be closed and commercial flights delayed, local media reported.
According to the Naha airport office, the runway was closed at 5:40 p.m. local time (0840 GMT) due to the stranded ASDF plane and significant delays are expected with commercial flights being redirected to other airports.
The stranded plane, an ASDF E2C Early Warning aircraft, reportedly had a punctured tire and ASDF personnel attending the scene said the aircraft was forced to stop near the entrance to the runway.
There have been no reports of injury to persons as a result of the mishap, ASDF personnel said.
They added that while trying to remove the airframe from the runway, they are looking into the cause of the punctured tire.
