Military's V-22 Osprey aircraft problems persist, GAO finds

Dec. 12 (UPI) -- The V-22 Osprey is a highly versatile aircraft that experienced a significant rise in serious accidents in 2023 and 2024, the Government Accountability Office reported Friday.

The accidents included four deadly incidents that killed 20 service members since 2022, which has raised concerns regarding its safety, according to the GAO.

The Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force use the Osprey for missions that require the vertical lift capabilities of a helicopter with the speed of a turboprop aircraft.

They have a combined fleet of more than 400 Ospreys, the Military Times reported, but the GAO said the three military branches lack sufficient maintenance personnel to keep them in good operating condition.

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The report also concluded the military branches have not determined who is responsible for addressing known safety risks or how to share information with the other branches.

The GAO recommends the Defense Department refine the process for identifying, analyzing and responding to safety risks and establishing oversight to resolve safety risks in a timely manner.

It also advises the branches establish a process to share relevant safety data.

The GAO reported the Marine Corps and Air Force had higher rates of the most serious accidents in 2023 and 2024 than when compared to the rates from the eight prior years.

Those two years accounted for 18 serious, non-combat accidents that involved death, permanent disability and extensive hospitalization.

The 18 accidents also either destroyed Osprey aircraft or caused damage costing at least $600,000, the GAO said.

Most of the aircraft's serious accidents were caused by airframe or engine failures, human error while in flight or maintenance errors.

Failures with the Osprey's proprotor gearbox clutches are especially problematic and contributed to two of four fatal accidents in recent years.

Some Ospreys also crashed when their engines began surging or losing power while flying over sand and dust or while landing while visibility was reduced.

Such problems have not been sufficiently analyzed and addressed to correct them and prevent further occurrences, the GAO report said.

The V-22 Osprey is a twin-engine, prop-driven, tiltrotor military aircraft that was designed by and is built by Bell Flight and Boeing.

It combines the vertical performance of a helicopter with the speed and range of a turboprop aircraft, which enables it to take off vertically and land on vessels and in small landing zones without the need for a runway.

The aircraft commonly is used for long-range infiltration and exfiltration missions, medium-range assault, special operations and personnel transport, according to Boeing.

The Osprey also works well for resupply, search and rescue, medical evacuations and humanitarian assistance missions.

Its wings and rotors fold to make it easier to store on aircraft carriers and assault ships and deploy while at sea.