Lawmakers demand grounding of V-22 Ospreys over safety concerns
- Three Massachusetts lawmakers express ongoing concerns about the safety of the V-22 Ospreys.
- The Osprey has experienced over 21 major accidents primarily linked to design flaws.
- The lawmakers advocate for re-grounding the aircraft until safety issues are adequately addressed.
In November 2023, a deadly crash involving a V-22 Osprey in Japan led to the grounding of the entire fleet for three months. As of November 2024, three lawmakers from Massachusetts, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, along with Representative Richard Neal, have expressed concerns regarding the safety of the V-22 Osprey and urged Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to consider grounding the aircraft until the identified safety and design issues are resolved. The Osprey has faced scrutiny for its accident history, with over 21 major incidents linked to design choices. Although the Ospreys have resumed operations with restrictions, the lawmakers highlighted pilots' concerns about the pressure to push the aircraft's performance limits to ensure safety during flight operations.