By KAIGO NARISAWA/ Staff Writer
July 27, 2023 at 15:33 JST
A Ground Self-Defense Force Osprey participates in a drill on May 27 in Shizuoka Prefecture. (Kaigo Narisawa)
The Ground Self-Defense Force has suspended flights of the V-22 Osprey after a U.S. military report highlighted a possible mechanical failure and called for the replacement of parts to prevent accidents.
Fourteen of the tilt-rotor transport aircraft have been grounded at the GSDF’s Kisarazu camp in Chiba Prefecture since July 22.
Defense Ministry officials said safety measures will be taken, if necessary, before they fly the multi-mission aircraft again.
The Bell-Boeing Osprey that belong to the U.S. military stationed in Japan remain in operation.
The Marine Corps report was released on July 21 following the investigation of an Osprey crash in California in June 2022 that killed all five U.S. service members aboard.
The report concluded that the accident occurred when the pilots lost control following an unintentional clutch disengagement and subsequent hard clutch engagement.
It said a “catastrophic and unanticipated mechanical failure” caused the accident, urging that relevant components be replaced over a predetermined flight hour threshold.
The report also highlighted steps taken following the investigation, including the improvement of components and software.
The U.S. military previously called for the replacement of the parts in February.
The Defense Ministry decided at the time that GSDF Ospreys didn’t need the parts replaced yet because they hadn't reached the required number of flight hours.
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