Osprey Incident in New York Raises Safety Concerns Again

An Osprey transporting White House staff and government officials from an event in New York on Monday was grounded due to a safety concern. Witnesses reported flames under the right engine. The staff and officials were transferred to a second Osprey and continued their trip with President Joe Biden. The incident caused a minor delay for Biden's return to Washington.

This incident occurred on the same day that lawmakers sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin requesting the grounding of the entire V-22 Osprey fleet until solutions are found for safety and design issues identified by The Associated Press. The Marine Corps did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the New York incident.

This is not the first time White House staff or reporters have had to be removed from an Osprey due to safety concerns. In November 2023, an Osprey carrying White House reporters and staff returned to the ground shortly after takeoff after loud noises and smoke were observed.

In their letter to Austin, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, and Representative Richard Neal, all Democrats from Massachusetts, stated that "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."

The AP's investigation found that the Osprey, which can fly like both a helicopter and an airplane, has been involved in more than 21 major accidents, many of which can be attributed to design choices. The entire fleet was grounded for three months this year following a deadly crash in Japan in November 2023 that killed eight service members.

Osprey pilots have expressed their reluctance to see the aircraft grounded despite safety concerns, citing its unique capabilities. Program officials have stated that they are working on fixes to improve the V-22's safety and reliability.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter.

The lawmakers also cited the AP's reporting that pilots are having to push the V-22's "interim power" feature to be able to land safely, despite being advised against it due to potential wear and tear on parts. Interim power was a factor in the most recent accident in October when a Japanese self-defense forces Osprey violently tilted and struck the ground on takeoff. An investigation determined that the pilots were to blame for not turning on the interim power during takeoff.

"The reality for pilots is that they have to push the aircraft to its limits to stay safe," the lawmakers wrote.