US Military Halts Osprey Flights Once More Due to Safety Issues
An incident involving the Osprey aircraft in New Mexico has drawn comparisons to a tragic crash near Japan two years prior.
The U.S. military has once again suspended operations of its V-22 Osprey fleet following a recent near-accident amid increasing concerns regarding the safety of the aircraft.
The Marine Corps commenced its pause on Friday, with intentions to extend it at least through Monday. The other branches are anticipated to maintain longer suspensions while they probe the underlying causes of metal failures within the aircraft.
In light of these findings, lawmakers are urging Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to ground the Osprey fleet until the safety and design issues have been adequately resolved.
The incident at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico on November 20 bears similarities to a fatal crash off the Japanese coast in November 2022. That tragic event resulted in the deaths of eight Air Force Special Operations Command members and was linked to weakened metal components within the Osprey’s transmission.
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The investigation into the Japan crash indicated that metallic inclusions—defects in the material—resulted in gear failure and ultimately led to a catastrophic failure of the aircraft. The crew involved in that mishap also failed to recognize the full extent of the issue immediately.
The Cannon incident, while still being examined, seems to have learned from the experiences of the Japan crash. Crew members received similar alerts shortly after takeoff and encountered an engine failure but were able to secure a safe landing.
Training Flights Halted
Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, the commander of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), has ordered a suspension of all Osprey training flights. IAFSOC spokeswoman Lt. Col. Becky Heyse remarked that this pause “provides the time and space necessary for us to comprehend what occurred,” as reported by AP.
The metal central to these incidents is X-53 VIMVAR. Investigators discovered that the gear that failed in the Japan incident contained several inclusions, which are tiny weak spots resulting from foreign materials becoming mixed with the metal during manufacturing, potentially leading to cracking over time.
Since the crash in Japan, seven previous cases of cracking in gears have been linked to the same material weakness, according to investigators cited by AP.
The military and Bell Flight, the manufacturer of the transmission system and builder of the Osprey in Amarillo, Texas, have been coordinating efforts to strengthen the material used.
The safety record of the Osprey has raised concerns throughout its 30-year operational history. According to AP, 64 individuals have lost their lives and 93 others have sustained injuries due to Osprey crashes. The aircraft’s safety issues have also garnered international attention, prompting Japan’s military to temporarily ground its fleet in October after one Osprey made a sudden tilt during takeoff and struck the ground.
From NTD News
