Osprey V-22 helicopter fire prompts grounding of presidential fleet

On November 25, 2024, an Osprey V-22 helicopter in the Marine Corps' HMX-1 presidential fleet was grounded after its engine caught fire. The incident occurred during a flight to New York City, associated with a Friendsgiving trip for President Joe Biden. Fortunately, all passengers, which included White House staff and officials, were safely transferred to a second Osprey and continued their journey. This incident attracted significant attention as it occurred shortly after Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, urged the Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to ground the entire Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey fleet due to safety concerns following earlier incidents. Notably, a crash in Japan in November 2023 resulted in the deaths of eight U.S. servicemen and prompted investigations into the aircraft's safety. After a detailed analysis of the fleet in early 2024, the V-22s were cleared to fly again in March, subject to new restrictions aimed at ensuring safety. This recent grounding incident further raises questions about the aircraft's reliability and operational protocols within the military fleets, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny faced by the V-22 program amidst a backdrop of heightened safety concerns and recommendations from lawmakers.