The U.S. military’s V-22 Ospreys will be cleared to fly after each aircraft is inspected to assess their prop-rotor gearboxes, a part connected to a deadly 2023 crash, and operating limits are being imposed on new gearboxes.
Earlier this month, the Pentagon paused Osprey flights after a near-crash at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico on Nov. 2. That followed a crash that killed eight airmen last year off the coast of Japan after the gearbox failed.
The military will now “verify the flight hours” on each prop-rotor gearbox before the aircraft’s next flight, and add restrictions on aircraft with newer gearboxes.
“Aircraft with PRGBs that currently meets or exceeds a predetermined flight-hour threshold will resume flights in accordance with controls instituted in the March 2024 interim flight clearance (IFC),” according to a NAVAIR statement.
“A new IFC, containing additional risk mitigation controls, has been issued to address aircraft with PRGBs below the flight-hour threshold. These controls will remain in place until the aircraft’s PRGBs are upgraded, or the predetermined threshold is exceeded,” the statement said.
NAVAIR declined to say what the flight-hour threshold is, how many aircraft are affected, or what flight controls will be added.
Investigators found that metal weaknesses—the same type that led to the gearbox failure in the Japan crash—caused the near crash last month, according to AP, and newer gearboxes have additional restrictions because if metal weaknesses occur, it happens early on.
“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. Returning these vital assets to flight is critical to supporting our nation’s interests,” the statement said.
