The grounding of all Osprey tilt-rotors follows a fatal crash off the coast of a Japanese island that may be tied to a “materiel failure.”
The U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps have all now grounded their respective V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor fleets. This follows a fatal crash involving an Air Force CV-22B off the coast of Japan’s Yakushima Island on November 29. An investigation into the accident is still ongoing, but has found evidence already that a “materiel failure” may have been the root cause.
The CV-22B, which was using the callsign Gundam 22 at the time, was conducting a routine training mission when it went down. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has declared all eight individuals who were onboard the Osprey, which was assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Wing’s 21st Special Operations Squadron based at Yokota Air Base in Japan, to be deceased. However, the remains of only six individuals have been recovered so far. Efforts to recover the other two still unaccounted-for individuals, as well as the wreckage, are continuing.
Wreckage of the CV-22B Osprey off Yakushima Island, as photographed by the Japan Coast Guard, November 29, 2023. Japan Coast Guard
The Japan Self-Defense Forces, the only current foreign Osprey operator, also grounded its MV-22Bs last week in the wake of the mishap and had called on the U.S. military to do the same.
“Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, AFSOC Commander, directed an operational standdown of the Air Force CV-22 fleet [on] December 6, 2023 to mitigate risk while the investigation continues on the November 29, 2023 CV-22 mishap near Yakushima, Japan,” according to press release Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) put out this evening. “Preliminary investigation information indicates a potential materiel failure caused the mishap, but the underlying cause of the failure is unknown at this time.”
A stock picture of a US Air Force CV-22B Osprey. USAF
“The standdown will provide time and space for a thorough investigation to determine causal factors and recommendations to ensure the Air Force CV-22 fleet returns to flight operations,” the press release adds. “We extend sincere gratitude to the Joint Force and Government of Japan’s Self-Defense Force, Coast Guard, law enforcement and civilian volunteers for their tireless assistance in the search and rescue operations for our Air Commandos.”
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), which oversees the Navy and Marine Corps respective CMV-22B and MV-22B fleets, put out a separate press release regarding the grounding of those aircraft.
“Out of an abundance of caution, following the AFSOC operational stand down, NAVAIR is instituting a grounding bulletin for all V-22 Osprey variants Dec. 6,” according to NAVAIR. “This decision comes after the V-22 Osprey mishap on Nov. 29, off the shore of Yakushima, Japan. Preliminary investigation information indicates a potential materiel failure caused the mishap, but the underlying cause of the failure is unknown at this time.”
“While the mishap remains under investigation, we are implementing additional risk mitigation controls to ensure the safety of our service members,” the NAVAIR release continued. “The Joint Program Office continues to communicate and collaborate with all V-22 stakeholders and customers, including allied partners.”
A US Marine Corps MV-22B. USMC
“We can’t say for sure right now,” a spokesperson for AFSOC separately told The War Zone when asked for further details about the possible materiel issue. “The mishap investigation will collect data to ensure a thorough investigation and appropriate recommendations.”
“We will share additional information as it becomes available to us,” NAVAIR also said in response to our queries for additional information.
This is the third grounding of at least a portion of Osprey fleets worldwide in the past 16 months or so. The Air Force grounded its CV-22Bs in August 2022 after one of the aircraft made an emergency landing in Norway. There were thankfully no injuries as a result of that mishap, which was traced to an issue with a hard clutch on the Osprey.
A US Air Force CV-22B in Norway after making an emergency landing in August 2022. Forsvaret
In February of this year, the Air Force, as well as the Navy and the Marines, grounded some of their Ospreys again over the hard clutch issue. There is no indication one way or another that the clutch was a factor in the November 29 crash.
The latest grounding is a particularly significant issue for the Marine Corps. The service is, by far, the largest operator of Ospreys and they are a key component of its day-to-day operations.
It remains to be seen now what the investigation into the CV-22B crash last week will conclude about the circumstances of that mishap, and when the current grounding will be lifted.
We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
