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| Osprey Mishap Raises Questions |
| 2006-04-06 |
| I don't know if I'd wanna be jumping on one of these things... A Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey at the air base in New River, NC, suffered “major damage to its wing and right engine” in a mishap March 27, according to a statement issued by the service after the incident. The aircraft damage “resulted from an inadvertent takeoff followed by a hard landing” on the base's flight line during a post-maintenance functional check flight, according to the statement. No one was hurt, the service said. It is not yet clear what caused the mishap. The Marine Corps is investigating the incident. There will be two investigations -- one led by a mishap board and another by the judge advocate general. The base at New River is overseen by the 2nd Marine Air Wing at Cherry Point, NC. Maj. Shawn Haney, a spokeswoman at Cherry Point, said the incident has been labeled a class A mishap, which is the most serious and expensive kind. By definition, any mishap costing more than $1 million is in this category. The Osprey damaged in the incident belongs to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204. At press time, Haney did not have the identifying numbers for that particular aircraft. Bell Helicopter Textron and Boeing make the Osprey mainly for the Marine Corps, but also for the Air Force component of U.S. Special Operations Command. Bell spokesman Bob Leder had no comment on the mishap and referred questions to the Marine Corps. |
| Posted by:tu3031 |
| #9 The Osprey strikes me as an example of what technology can do when pushed to its limits, even though there was no real need to approach those limits. As in, a solution looking for a problem. The craft's wingtip motor axles and engine mounting bolts must be phenomenal. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2006-04-06 16:54 |
| #8 Please revisit 27-02-2006 article and comments. |
| Posted by: Mullah Richard 2006-04-06 15:37 |
| #7 Couldn't agree more. Especially with a son headed to USMC Basic School with a desire to be an infantry ofcicer. |
| Posted by: anymouse 2006-04-06 14:55 |
| #6 If you look at X-type craft... for some reason the government has been trying to make something like the Osprey since the late 30's. I guess the question is why? |
| Posted by: 3dc 2006-04-06 14:53 |
| #5 The aircraft damage “resulted from an inadvertent takeoff followed by a hard landing” on the base's flight line during a post-maintenance functional check flight That statement screams pilot error. Sounds like the pilot wound it up to check the engine, the Osprey lifted off unexpectedly, and he chopped the throttles rather than easing them back. Plane dropped like a rock and got dinged. Note the JAG's office is involved, not just the mishap board. That tells me they think someone made a major screwup and they may bring charges. |
| Posted by: Steve 2006-04-06 14:32 |
| #4 Osprey, neat concept aircraft helicopters beat the air into submission so you'd think eventually it should be feasible and reliable but like many I've had my doubts for quite awile... The life of our ours [sic men and women] are more important than the project 'Osprey'. |
| Posted by: RD 2006-04-06 13:45 |
| #3 but do remember that this is a pretty much untried and tested design so it would take longer but when you say 15 years it does kinda make you go wow i guess, thats long time for any aircraft |
| Posted by: ShepUK 2006-04-06 13:20 |
| #2 ...Reality check: In FIFTEEN YEARS of flight tests and development, this beast is still not reliable. if the money had instead been spent on a CH-47 replacement, we'd have had something much more reliable in more numbers. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2006-04-06 12:34 |
| #1 Oh this is sad, i had such big hopes for that beast as did many but it looks so troubling its very scary. Mind you didnt the F-111 have alot of probs to begin with and turned out a real top craft though, F-15 was a hanger queen to start to i think for its first couple of years in service. Just pray they Iron the problems out. I still wouldnt want to go into action in one - simply way to big, any Jihadi within half a mile is gonna be hitting it so easy because of its gigantic size. Drop me off a few miles out from the enemy and thats ok - go trying to fast rope onto a building in one and the chances of getting it hit and knocked out i fear are almost 100%. Helicopters are just way to brittle too. |
| Posted by: ShepUK 2006-04-06 12:28 |