Naval Air Systems Command issued a flight clearance for the V-22 Osprey thereby lifting the grounding on March. 8.
“This decision follows a meticulous and data-driven approach prioritizing the safety of our aircrews,” states a March 8 NAVAIR news release.
NAVAIR instituted a grounding bulletin for all V-22 Osprey variants on Dec. 6. The decision was the result of a fatal crash on Nov. 29, off the shore of Yakushima, Japan. A U.S. Air Force CV-22B Osprey from Yokota Air Base, Japan, assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Wing, was performing a routine training mission off the shore of Yakushima Island, Japan with eight Airmen on board, who died as a result of the crash.
A preliminary investigation by the U.S. Air Force indicated a materiel failure of a V-22 component. According to a March 8 NAVAIR news release, the grounding provided time for a thorough review of the mishap and formulation of risk mitigation controls to assist with safely returning the V-22 to flight operations.
“In concert with the ongoing investigation, NAVAIR has diligently worked with the USAF-led investigation to identify the materiel failure that led to the mishap. Close coordination among key senior leaders across the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force has been paramount in formulating the comprehensive review and return to flight plan, and this collaboration will continue,” the news release says.
“Maintenance and procedural changes have been implemented to address the materiel failure that allow for a safe return to flight. The U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force will each execute their return to flight plans according to service specific guidelines.
“NAVAIR remains committed to transparency and safety regarding all V-22 operations. The V-22 plays an integral role in supporting our Nation’s defense and returning these vital assets to flight is critical to supporting our nation’s interests. NAVAIR continuously monitors data and trends from all aircraft platforms, so service members are provided the safest, most reliable aircraft possible.”
Not everyone agrees with the decision to remove the grounding order.
House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer, R-Kentucky, issued the following statement:
“DoD is lifting the Osprey grounding order despite not providing the Oversight Committee and the American people answers about the safety of this aircraft. The House Oversight Committee has yet to receive adequate information requested from DoD as part of our ongoing investigation launched months ago into the safety and performance of the Osprey aircraft. Serious concerns remain such as accountability measures put in place to prevent crashes, a general lack of transparency, how maintenance and operational upkeep is prioritized, and how DoD assesses risks. We will continue to rigorously investigate the DoD’s Osprey program to attain answers to our questions on behalf of American taxpayers and protect U.S. servicemembers defending our nation.”
A news release from Comer says, “The Oversight Committee has done extensive examination of the Osprey program in the past and additional reports from government watchdogs revealed ongoing problems in the Osprey program. Over the last 30 years, there have been over a dozen Osprey crashes that have killed over 50 U.S. servicemembers. In December 2023, Chairman Comer launched an investigation into the safety of DoD’s Osprey program to ensure the Department of Defense is taking the steps necessary to protect the lives of U.S. servicemembers and bring transparency and accountability to the program.”
