WASHINGTON — The navy introduced late Wednesday it was grounding all of its Osprey V-22 helicopters, one week after eight Air Power Particular Operations Command service members died in a crash off the coast of Japan.
The Air Power, Navy and Marine Corps took the extraordinary step of grounding a whole bunch of plane after a preliminary investigation of final week’s crash indicated {that a} materiel failure — that one thing went unsuitable with the plane — and never a mistake by the crew led to the deaths.
The crash raised new questions concerning the security of the Osprey, which has been concerned in a number of deadly accidents over its comparatively brief time in service. Japan grounded its fleet of 14 Ospreys after the crash.
Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, head of Air Power Particular Operations Command, directed the standdown “to mitigate danger whereas the investigation continues,” the command stated in a press release. “Preliminary investigation data signifies a possible materiel failure precipitated the mishap, however the underlying explanation for the failure is unknown presently.”
In a separate discover, Naval Air Programs Command stated it was grounding all Ospreys. The command is answerable for the Marine Corps and Navy variants of the plane.
The Air Power stated it was unknown how lengthy the plane can be grounded. It stated the standdown was anticipated to stay in place till the investigation decided the reason for the Japan crash and made suggestions to permit the fleet to return to operations.
The U.S.-made Osprey is a hybrid plane that takes off and lands like a helicopter however can rotate its propellers ahead and cruise a lot sooner, like an airplane, throughout flight.
Its distinctive design has been a think about a number of incidents. Whereas the investigation into final week’s crash has solely simply begun, it renewed consideration on the plane’s security document, significantly on a mechanical drawback with the clutch that has troubled this system for greater than a decade. There even have been questions as as to whether all components of the Osprey have been manufactured based on security specs.
In August, the Marines discovered {that a} deadly 2022 Osprey crash was brought on by a clutch failure, however the root trigger was nonetheless unknown. In its report on the crash, the Marines forewarned that future incidents “are inconceivable to forestall” with out enhancements to flight management system software program, drivetrain element materials power, and strong inspection necessities.”
Air Power Particular Operations Command has 51 Ospreys, the U.S. Marine Corps flies as many as 400 and U.S. Navy operates 27.
The Osprey remains to be a comparatively younger plane within the navy’s fleet — the primary Ospreys solely turned operational in 2007 after many years of testing. However greater than 50 troops have died both flight testing the Osprey or conducting coaching flights within the plane, together with 20 deaths in 4 crashes over the previous 20 months.
An Osprey accident in August in Australia killed three Marines. That accident additionally remains to be beneath investigation.
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