(Patriot.Buzz) – Highlighting ongoing safety concerns, a major investigation is underway as the Pentagon has canceled flights and grounded its V-22 Osprey fleet due to metal weaknesses known from past accidents.
Lawmakers insisted on halting flights until these critical issues are fully resolved, ensuring the safety of service members.
The Pentagon’s decision to temporarily suspend its V-22 Osprey aircraft operations comes amid heightened safety alarms.
Metal component weaknesses involving the X-53 VIMVAR material have led to engine failures.
These failures mirror previous disasters and align with a history of mechanical breakdowns that continue to plague the Osprey fleet.
Vice Admiral Carl Chebi, acknowledging the risks involved, recommended the operational pause.
The decision affects the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, each halting their respective operations with the Osprey’s various models.
The intention is to avert further incidents similar to the narrowly escaped crash at Cannon Air Force Base.
The U.S. military grounded the entire fleet of V-22 Osprey aircraft after a preliminary investigation found something wrong with the aircraft led to a deadly crash off the coast of Japan. https://t.co/TdvZ8g0R88
— PBS News (@NewsHour) December 9, 2023
The Osprey’s history over the last five years is riddled with accidents due to rapidly wearing parts and inherent design flaws.
Investigations are ongoing in the United States, Australia, and Japan to discover these repeated failures further.
This global scrutiny underscores the pressing need to reinforce flight safety standards before the Osprey can safely resume operations.
Notably, a wrongful death lawsuit looms over Bell Textron, Boeing, and Rolls-Royce following a June 2022 crash that claimed the lives of five Marines.
The suit accuses the manufacturers of blatant negligence and misrepresentation concerning the Osprey’s operational safety.
While efforts are reportedly underway to strengthen the metal used in the Osprey’s transmission system, it is more than too late.
Since the Osprey’s introduction three decades ago, there have been 64 fatalities and 93 injuries in crashes.
Each of these deaths and injuries is a testament to the failure of leadership and oversight in our military.
The most recent near disaster in New Mexico, saved only by the crew’s adept handling, can be linked back to lessons learned from tragic past accidents like the fatal Japanese crash.
Investigations suggest similar metal weaknesses were a factor, though located differently within the aircraft’s structure.
Lawmakers have urged a more thorough investigation into these vulnerabilities and demanded comprehensive action from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
As Osprey’s troubling record is revisited, the focus remains on ensuring America’s heroes’ safety and maintaining the strength and credibility of U.S. military air capabilities.
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