Pentagon halts operations for aircraft with frequent accidents
The suspension of V-22 Osprey flights comes after a near-crash incident involving a tiltrotor last month. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The US Defense Department has suspended flights of the V-22 Ospreys following a near-crash incident involving the tiltrotor aircraft last month. The V-22 Osprey, known for combining helicopter-like maneuverability with the speed and range of a turboprop, has been in service since 1989.
According to estimates by AP, the aircraft has been involved in multiple crashes over the years, resulting in the deaths of 64 personnel and injuries to 93 others. With a cost of up to $70 million per unit, the V-22 Osprey is the primary assault support aircraft for the US Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force Special Operations Command.
On Tuesday, AP reported that Vice Admiral Carl Chebi, head of Naval Air Systems Command, made the decision to pause flights "out of an abundance of caution."
In November, an Osprey nearly crashed at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, but fortunately, there were no injuries. This incident was reportedly linked to a metal weakness thought to have contributed to a separate deadly crash in Japan last year, which resulted in eight fatalities. Following that incident, the Pentagon had halted all V-22 Osprey flights for three months.
Months earlier, three US Marines were killed in a similar incident during training exercises in Australia, and in March 2022, four crew members died in another crash during drills in Norway.
In November, AP conducted an in-depth investigation into the numerous crashes associated with the V-22 Osprey over the decades. The investigation utilized accident reports, flight data obtained via the Freedom of Information Act, and interviews with current and former crew members and experts, revealing a significant rise in serious incidents and safety concerns since 2019.
AP indicated that many of these safety issues stem from the aircraft's design features, including its unique proportions with relatively small propellers. The hybrid design necessitates that crews monitor multiple factors simultaneously, and mistakes can lead to severe consequences.
Despite these numerous challenges, the Marine Corps reportedly intends to continue operating the V-22 Osprey until 2050. However, in light of AP's findings, several lawmakers have called on Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to ground the fleet and conduct a comprehensive review of the aircraft's safety issues.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
According to estimates by AP, the aircraft has been involved in multiple crashes over the years, resulting in the deaths of 64 personnel and injuries to 93 others. With a cost of up to $70 million per unit, the V-22 Osprey is the primary assault support aircraft for the US Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force Special Operations Command.
On Tuesday, AP reported that Vice Admiral Carl Chebi, head of Naval Air Systems Command, made the decision to pause flights "out of an abundance of caution."
In November, an Osprey nearly crashed at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, but fortunately, there were no injuries. This incident was reportedly linked to a metal weakness thought to have contributed to a separate deadly crash in Japan last year, which resulted in eight fatalities. Following that incident, the Pentagon had halted all V-22 Osprey flights for three months.
Months earlier, three US Marines were killed in a similar incident during training exercises in Australia, and in March 2022, four crew members died in another crash during drills in Norway.
In November, AP conducted an in-depth investigation into the numerous crashes associated with the V-22 Osprey over the decades. The investigation utilized accident reports, flight data obtained via the Freedom of Information Act, and interviews with current and former crew members and experts, revealing a significant rise in serious incidents and safety concerns since 2019.
AP indicated that many of these safety issues stem from the aircraft's design features, including its unique proportions with relatively small propellers. The hybrid design necessitates that crews monitor multiple factors simultaneously, and mistakes can lead to severe consequences.
Despite these numerous challenges, the Marine Corps reportedly intends to continue operating the V-22 Osprey until 2050. However, in light of AP's findings, several lawmakers have called on Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to ground the fleet and conduct a comprehensive review of the aircraft's safety issues.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
