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A military training exercise in Australia witnessed a tragic turn of events when an Osprey aircraft plummeted, taking the lives of three US Marines and critically injuring several others.
From the 23 Marines onboard the MV-22B Osprey, three fatalities were confirmed, while five are currently receiving intensive care at the Royal Darwin Hospital, as disclosed by the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin.
The calamity on Melville Island took place at 9:30 a.m. local time. Involved Marines were actively participating in Exercise Predators Run. Recovery endeavors persist, with investigations underway to unearth the root cause of the crash.
Immediate Responses and Observations
Northern Territory Chief Minister, Natasha Fyles, conveyed that some injured Marines were getting medical attention on site. “Our focus remains on swift medical intervention for the injured,” stated Fyles.
In light of such mishaps, experts like retired US Air Force Col. Cedric Leighton often expect an operational stand-down, halting aircraft fleets until in-depth accident investigations are executed.
Australia’s Northern Territory Police Commissioner, Michael Murphy, informed that two Osprey aircraft embarked from Darwin towards Tiwi Islands that morning. Tragically, one met its doom on Melville Island.
Statements from Leaders and Military Insights
Offering their sympathies, Australian leaders Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defense Minister Richard Marles jointly remarked, “Australian and US military fraternities have been steadfast allies. This camaraderie is forged on shared values and historic ties.”
Emphasizing the essence of such military drills, Leighton noted, “They’re instrumental in fine-tuning communication and cooperation. Our Australian counterparts have always been stellar allies, making these exercises vital for Pacific security.”
Concerns Over Osprey’s Safety
Regrettably, Osprey aircraft have not been strangers to accidents. 2022 alone recorded two significant Osprey crashes: one near Glamis, California, and the other during NATO exercises in Norway.
Just a month prior, an MRH-90 Taipan chopper crash claimed four Australian army aircrew members’ lives. This incident was also part of a collaborative drill with the US.
While Ospreys are generally deemed safe, their history reflects various mechanical and operational challenges, dating back to their 1980s origin, according to Leighton.
Previous crashes of Osprey aircraft, according to CNN reporting and US Defense Department news releases:
- July 20, 1992: Seven people are killed during testing when an Osprey crashes in Virginia.
- April 8, 2000: A crash during training in Arizona kills 19 Marines. The crash is blamed on pilot error, with investigators concluding the pilot tried to land too fast and at too steep an angle, causing a loss of lift.
- December 11, 2000: Four Marines are killed when an Osprey crashes in North Carolina. The accident is later blamed on problems with a hydraulic part and a software anomaly in the aircraft’s computer system.
- April 8, 2010: US Air Force Osprey crashes in southern Afghanistan, killing three US service members and one civilian employee.
- April 11, 2012: Two US personnel are killed in an Osprey crash in Morocco.
- June 13, 2012: An Air Force CV-22 Osprey crashes during a routine training mission north of Navarre, Florida, injuring five.
- May 17, 2015: A Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey crashes at Bellows training ground on Oahu, Hawaii, leaving two Marines dead.
- December 13, 2016: An MV-22B Osprey lands in shallow waters off Okinawa, Japan, injuring two.
- August 5, 2017: An MV-22B Osprey crashes off the coast of Australia, leaving three Marines dead.
- September 28, 2017: A Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey crashes in Syria, injuring two service members.
- March 18, 2022: Four US service members are killed when the MV-22 Osprey they are traveling in crashes during NATO training exercises in Norway.
- June 8, 2022: Five US Marines die after an MV-22 Osprey crashes during a training mission Wednesday near Glamis, California.
Source: CNN
