V-22 Osprey Grounded

[Philwinward]

As a result of last weeks crash, the D.O.D. has grounded all variants of the V-22 until they can determine the cause. Wording of news release infers a problem with the aircraft and not pilot error was the cause.

[robg]

BBC just starting to report this.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67645072

[EAGLE]

This is the message released by AFSOC at exactly 0000UTC on December 7th.

Lt Gen Tony Bauernfeind, AFSOC Commander, directed an operational standdown of the Air Force CV-22 fleet Dec. 6, 2023, to mitigate risk while the investigation continues on the Nov. 29, 2023 CV-22 mishap near 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. 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.

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.

[Philwinward]

Wonder how this will affect the COD ops on US carriers ?
Does anyone know how many C-2 Greyhounds are still in service?

[Vulture 01]

I'd think any stand-down would cover all V22s, irrespective of who was operating them.

[tornado17]

Are these still grounded? I could find no update on-line anywhere.

[James Cutting]

KNIFE79 was noted doing engine runs yesterday viewtopic.php?f=8&t=239544&p=1562923&hi ... E#p1562923

[tornado17]

Another engine run was carried out today, presumably the same Osprey.

[Ravendriver2008]

The black box from the 21st SOS crashed CV-22B has been recovered

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your ... gn=air-dnr

[Bierset1989]

This explains the 3 Presidential V-22’s I seen at Burbank this morning on my way to Vegas. I don’t suppose anyone would know which 3 they are, long shot I know.
MTIA

Iain

[raameagle]

Not such a long shot…
These four supported the POTUS visit to LA in December. Three of them remain at Burbank. You just need to find out where the fourth one is and which one it is to work out the Burbank ones.
168284/02, 168297/05, 168327/09, and 168332/10.
I was at Burbank in the dark a few weeks ago and read 05 but couldn’t read the other two (fortunately none of these four required by me).
Regards
Mark

This explains the 3 Presidential V-22’s I seen at Burbank this morning on my way to Vegas. I don’t suppose anyone would know which 3 they are, long shot I know.
MTIA

Iain

[Bierset1989]

Thanks very much Mark , I’ll get to work on it

[markranger]

still Grounded.

https://dsm.forecastinternational.com/2 ... hallenges/

[slogen51]

Could be flying again next week

https://www.foxnews.com/world/pentagon- ... t-week.amp

[SparkyGB]

Thanks very much Mark , I’ll get to work on it

I was at BUR on 5.2 and can confirm read off 02 & 10 outside the hangar with one inside didn’t see a fourth though. Be good to get confirmation on the hangar one

Cheers

Sparky

[raameagle]

The one in the hangar should be 168297/05.

168327/09 was parked at Lake Havasu and may well still be there...

Regards

Mark

Thanks very much Mark , I’ll get to work on it

I was at BUR on 5.2 and can confirm read off 02 & 10 outside the hangar with one inside didn’t see a fourth though. Be good to get confirmation on the hangar one

Cheers

Sparky

[panta615]

Reported by TWZ that the V-22’s are cleared.

https://www.twz.com/air/v-22-osprey-fin ... -grounding

[Snoop 95]

Don't expect to see the USAF Ospreys flying any time soon though. Quoting from the above article, a phased return to flight is planned: "Phase one of AFSOC’s return to fly plan includes ground and simulator training integrating planned flight controls, safety briefings, a review of maintenance records and refining by-squadron training plans to implement the new safety protocols," according to a press release from the command today. "Phase two is a multi-month program for aircrew and maintainers. Aircrew will focus on regaining basic mission currency and proficiency then expansion to full mission currency and proficiency."

[Supra]

Don't expect to see the USAF Ospreys flying any time soon though. Quoting from the above article, a phased return to flight is planned: "Phase one of AFSOC’s return to fly plan includes ground and simulator training integrating planned flight controls, safety briefings,...Edited"

My question is "Were the Simulators grounded as well?" I thought the cause of failure was known some time back, so they've only got two choices, fly 'em more gently or don't fly 'em at all?

Me living in a simple World with no understanding of AFSOC procedures, I'm more inclined to think that Pilots/Crews could/should have maintained operational currency & integration of the new 'Driving-standards' on the Sim's, on the ground & for the guys wearing Darth Vader face-masks on the shooting ranges in the interim period?

Surely a 'Sim current' adapted crew would find it easier to adopt the actual physics of the new flying & maintenance procedures from a rolling start, rather than a standstill!
Only gotta learn to 'double de-clutch' before engaging gear & applying power? Ask any old gear-crashing Scammell lorry driver? For the Maintainers.... Change the gearbox oil & filter every 10 flight hours plus inspect the magnetic drain plug for gear teeth.

[Agent K]

Don't expect to see the USAF Ospreys flying any time soon though. Quoting from the above article, a phased return to flight is planned: "Phase one of AFSOC’s return to fly plan includes ground and simulator training integrating planned flight controls, safety briefings,...Edited"

My question is "Were the Simulators grounded as well?" I thought the cause of failure was known some time back, so they've only got two choices, fly 'em more gently or don't fly 'em at all?

Me living in a simple World with no understanding of AFSOC procedures, I'm more inclined to think that Pilots/Crews could/should have maintained operational currency & integration of the new 'Driving-standards' on the Sim's, on the ground & for the guys wearing Darth Vader face-masks on the shooting ranges in the interim period?

Surely a 'Sim current' adapted crew would find it easier to adopt the actual physics of the new flying & maintenance procedures from a rolling start, rather than a standstill!
Only gotta learn to 'double de-clutch' before engaging gear & applying power? Ask any old gear-crashing Scammell lorry driver? For the Maintainers.... Change the gearbox oil & filter every 10 flight hours plus inspect the magnetic drain plug for gear teeth.

Whilst yes, it will be a quicker process than starting out with a brand new type, it will nonetheless take time to build up currency and capability.

Yes simulators can give a fair amount, they do not do everything, especially in the V22's operating environment, where IFR, Low Level, Nigh Vision etc etc needs to be built up. Currency can only be acquired by building up those hours. Sensibly it seems that this will be done in a methodical and controlled manor, there are no prizes for getting it wrong.

Also, the operation isn't just flight crew, so they will also need to build up all the operational capability from the maintainers, engineers, fuellers load masters and other operational personnel.