Osprey Aircraft Approved to Return to Flight After Fatal Crash in Japan
The Osprey, a crucial aircraft for U.S. military missions, has been given the green light to resume flight operations after a fatal crash in Japan last November. The Naval Air Systems Command announced on Friday that the Osprey had been approved to fly again following an “unprecedented” part failure that resulted in the deaths of eight service members. This crash marked the second fatal accident in a matter of months and the fourth in two years, prompting a fleet-wide grounding of hundreds of Ospreys across the Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy.
In order to clear the Osprey for flight, officials focused their attention on the proprotor gearbox, implemented new limitations on its operation, and introduced maintenance inspections and requirements to ensure its safety. The entire fleet was grounded on December 6, just a week after another fatal crash that claimed the lives of eight Air Force Special Operations Command service members. The decision to ground the fleet was made when it became apparent that the part failure in that crash was unprecedented and had not been seen before in the tiltrotor aircraft.
While officials did not disclose the specific component responsible for the failure, as the Air Force’s crash investigation is still ongoing, they stated that they now have a better understanding of why it failed. Marine Corps Col. Brian Taylor, V-22 joint program manager at Naval Air Systems Command, described it as “the first time that we’ve seen this particular component fail in this way. And so this is unprecedented.”
However, the Department of Defense’s decision to allow the Osprey to fly again before the completion of separate congressional investigations into the program has drawn criticism from Rep. James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee. Comer expressed concerns about accountability measures, transparency, maintenance prioritization, and risk assessment.
A former Osprey pilot familiar with the investigation confirmed that the failed component is part of the proprotor gearbox, a critical system that connects the Osprey’s engine to the rotor. The services have conducted a thorough examination of the gearbox and implemented new safety measures to address the issues identified after the crash.
The proprotor gearbox has been a recurring problem for the Osprey, with instances of power surges, oil pressure loss, engine fires, and chipping reported in both Marine Corps and Air Force Ospreys. These incidents have caused damage to the gearbox during flight, sometimes necessitating emergency landings. Previous crashes have also been attributed to other components of the gearbox, such as the sprag clutch and input quill assembly.
The services are currently investigating the material and manufacturing process of the failed part. Further tests are being conducted by NAVAIR to gain more insight into the cause of the failure. Once these tests are completed, some of the operational safety controls currently in place may be relaxed to provide greater flexibility with the Osprey.
The findings and plans to address the issue have been shared with the government of Japan, which also grounded its fleet of 14 Ospreys after the crash. However, crews have not flown for over 90 days, which will make their return to flight more dangerous. The services are taking a cautious approach and anticipate a period of retraining that could last from 30 days to several months before normal flight operations resume.
The Osprey, which has been in development for four decades and became operational in 2007, has played a vital role in U.S. military operations. Its unique ability to fly like an airplane and then convert to a helicopter has allowed it to conduct missions in the Middle East and Africa where traditional aircraft face limitations. The military had also planned to utilize the Osprey in the Indo-Pacific region to operate on islands without suitable airfields.
Despite its capabilities, the Osprey has faced controversy due to its first-generation design and a history of accidents. Over 14 major accidents have occurred, resulting in the loss of 59 lives and several aircraft. The cost of the Osprey ranges from $70 million to $90 million depending on the variant. While no new production orders are planned for the V-22, the Marine Corps remains committed to the Osprey and its service life through the 2050s.
The Air Force, which has the second-largest fleet of Ospreys, is considering alternative options. Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, head of Air Force Special Operations Command, acknowledged that while the Osprey has fulfilled its purpose well, it is an older platform. He believes it is time to discuss the development of a next-generation capability to replace the V-22.
In conclusion, after a fatal crash in Japan, the Osprey has been approved to return to flight operations. Extensive inspections, safety measures, and limitations have been implemented to address the unprecedented part failure that caused the crash. While concerns about transparency and accountability remain, the military is confident in the