What’s New
The U.S. military has introduced new safety restrictions for all V-22 Osprey aircraft following a near-crash incident in New Mexico last month.
Investigators found that the proprotor gearbox, a key part of the aircraft’s transmission, showed the same type of metal defects––known as inclusions––that caused a fatal crash off the coast of Japan in November 2023, which killed eight service members.
Why It Matters
The fatal crash in Japan highlighted systemic problems with the metal used in the Osprey’s transmission components, prompting calls for more rigorous safety measures. Lawmakers and aviation safety advocates have urged the Pentagon to ground the entire fleet until long-term solutions are implemented, acutely aware of the risks of further loss of life.
An investigation by the Associated Press last month revealed rising safety issues with the Osprey over the past five years, including faster-than-expected parts wear, and that the design of the aircraft itself is directly contributing to many of the accidents. The Osprey can fly like a helicopter and an airplane.
Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Amber Smalley/U.S. Navy via AP, File
What To Know
Under the new rules announced Friday, Ospreys with transmissions below a specific number of flight hours will face additional restrictions to prevent future incidents. The announcement comes amid mounting concerns over the safety record of the aircraft, which has been involved in over 21 major accidents since its introduction, viewed as a vital asset for the U.S. military
The November 20 incident saw an Air Force CV-22B Osprey crew safely land the aircraft after receiving warnings of a transmission failure and losing an engine mid-flight.
Investigators discovered that the transmission contained the same type of inclusions––microscopic weak spots in the metal––that caused the Japan crash. These weak spots are created during the manufacturing process, leading to fatigue cracking over time.
Following the incident, the Pentagon temporarily grounded all Ospreys. While the Marines resumed operations days later, the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy continue to enforce stricter flight limitations. Replacing the flawed transmission systems with components made using more robust manufacturing methods is expected to take years.
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), which oversees the Osprey program, has confirmed that the new flight restrictions will remain in place until replacements are implemented. Due to operational security, specific details about the affected flight hours and other guidelines have not been disclosed.
AP Photo/Tara Copp
What People Are Saying
Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, along with Democratic Representative Richard Neal also of Massachusetts said in a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last month: “Given the current concerns about the safety of the V-22, the aircraft should be grounded, and should not be deployed again until the platform’s significant deficiencies are fully addressed.”
Naval Air Systems Command, who runs the Osprey program across the military said: Additional safety controls “will remain in place” until the proprotor gearboxes are replaced. “Due to operational security concerns, the specifics of the V-22 flight-hour threshold, number of aircraft affected and additional flight controls will not be released.”
What Happens Next
The Pentagon’s efforts to address the Osprey’s safety issues are expected to focus on manufacturing improvements for the proprotor gearbox and other components. However, retrofitting all 400 aircraft in the fleet will take years and require significant funding.
In the interim, strict flight limitations and ongoing investigations are likely to dominate military aviation operations.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press