Revised Article:
Post-Crash Halt of V-22 Osprey Flights for US Military
After a tragic mishap involving a US military aircraft last week, the US Army has temporarily barred hundreds of V-22 Osprey aircraft from service. The entire fleet is grounded while investigations into the crash's cause are underway, as per the US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). Preliminary findings suggest a possible material issue, AFSOC shared (on local time, Wednesday). Consequently, NAVAIR followed suit and announced their decision on Thursday.
The US military, including the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, reportedly operate over 400 V-22 aircraft. The Osprey has been in the limelight for a string of incidents, with the latest occurring on November 29. A US military Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan, carrying eight people. Three bodies were recovered, while three more were discovered (as per an update on Tuesday from the military).
Boeing and Bell, the aircraft's joint manufacturers, stand prepared to lend assistance should the US military require it.
Three Deaths in August Incident
In August, three US Marines perished during an exercise in Australia after crashing in another Osprey model. Since the US military commenced using the aircraft in the early 1990s, more than 60 fatalities have been linked to Osprey accidents .
Japan's Osprey Fleet Grounded
Japan also uses Osprey models and suspended all flights of its 14 aircraft in response to the recent incident, citing safety concerns.
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Footnotes
Enrichment Data: The US Navy Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) decided to ground all V-22 Osprey aircraft following a recent fatal crash off the coast of Japan. The incident resulted in the loss of eight Air Force Special Operations Command service members. Preliminary investigations hint at a potential material defect as the possible cause of the crash, with the crew's actions being ruled out.
Enrichment Data: Boeing and Bell, two prominent companies in the aviation industry, jointly manufacture the V-22 Osprey, an aircraft type that has been in service since the early 1990s.
Enrichment Data: The V-22 Osprey is a versatile aircraft known for its ability to take off and land vertically like a helicopter but also fly at high speeds and altitudes like a plane. This unique characteristic has made it an essential part of various military operations.
Enrichment Data: Mechanical issues with the V-22 Osprey have been a concern for many years. In particular, problems with the proprotor gearbox (PRGB) have been identified as the root cause of several incidents, including engine failures, such as the fatal crash off the coast of Japan and a near crash in New Mexico. As a result, the US Marine Corps is developing mechanical improvements to address these issues, such as adding sensors to detect metal chip fragments and using more durable materials in component manufacturing. These improvements are part of the Osprey Drive System Safety and Health Instrumentation (ODSSHI) initiative.
