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Japanese V-22 Osprey sustains partial damage during takeoff; No injuries except Tokyo Grounds Tilt-Rotors

Posted on by Pranco
Japanese V-22 Osprey sustains partial damage during takeoff; No injuries except Tokyo Grounds Tilt-Rotors

The V-22 participated in a MEDEVAC/CASEVAC scenario as part of exercise Keen Sword. He lost his balance and swayed from side to side as he tried to take off from Yonaguni Camp, causing the left engine nacelle to hit the ground.

Within days of one research The shoddy production and negligent quality control of the V-22 Ospreys emerged a video of an Osprey from the JGSDF (Japan Ground Self-Defense Force), the only foreign operator of the aircraft, in what is described as a “ failed takeoff” at the service’s Yonaguni garrison in Okinawa on the morning of Oct. 27, 2024.

This incident, the first involving a Japanese Osprey, occurred during the ongoing Keen Sword exercise. The JGSDF operates a total of 17 Ospreys, with the 1st Helicopter Wing at Kisarazu Garrison announce the delivery of the last tiltrotors on July 12.

Although none of the 16 people on board (including U.S. Marine Corps personnel) were injured, Japanese reports said Military authorities have now grounded the Ospreys. However, Stars and stripes cited a statement it received from US Forces Japan saying its own Ospreys “remain mission capable” and will continue to participate in Keen Sword.

The video of the incident, posted by Eli Zusman on The visibly unstable condition caused the left engine nacelle to “make contact with the ground,” officials said, leading to an emergency landing. Japan’s Ministry of Defense has suspended V-22 flights pending an investigation.

The plane’s final landing could not be seen due to a raised embankment between the fence and the runway, but the video nonetheless shows the violent rolling of the wings to the left side, when that part almost disappears under the fencing and the right rotor tilts almost all the way up, instead of the straight vertical descent it should have.

The JGSDF Osprey disappears behind the embankment, with only the right rotor visible as it tilts upward and the left engine’s nacelle hits the ground. (Image credit: Eli Zusman on X)

The accident

NHK News said the plane suffered “partial damage” during a “failed takeoff” in Yonaguni, located in Okinawa Prefecture. The report quoted a Defense Ministry statement: “The aircraft lost its balance and swayed from side to side as it tried to take off from Camp Yonaguni on Japan’s westernmost island of Yonaguni around 11:40 am on Sunday. The air exhaust vent of the aircraft’s left engine came into contact with the ground. It caused damage around the opening.”

The Osprey participated in a simulation module MEDEVAC/CASEVAC scenarios. In fact, the report stated that the aircraft would take off from the camp on a training mission to transport people with injuries.

The USFJ statement to Stars and stripes further added: “We do not expect any significant impact on training. The U.S. remains committed to conducting realistic training exercises with our allies and partners.” Japan’s Joint Staff spokesman said they have grounded their 17 Ospreys, while Defense Minister Nakatami said in a press conference that the service will, however, conduct Ospreys “mission flights.” “If a natural disaster occurs, we will decide whether to use the Ospreys or not, but in principle we will not fly them,” he said.

Marines from the Expeditionary Operations Training Group perform helicopter rope suspension techniques from a Japan Ground Self Defense Force V-22 Osprey at Stone Bay, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 12, 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ethan Pomphret )

The Osprey accident and the resumption of flights

The aviator has been closely in response to the Osprey operations since the crash of a US Air Force CV-22B Osprey on November 29, 2023, off the coast of Japan after taking off from MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station) Iwakuni. Eight employees lost their lives in the accident.

This Osprey, call sign Gundam 22, was assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing at Yokota Air Base. The accident caused a three-month safety measure of approximately 400 Osprey tiltrotors in the US Air Force, US Navy, US Marine Corps and JGSDF fleet.

Researchers their preliminary findings of that crash pointed to the gearbox as the cause, and were further investigating the reasons behind its failure. Previous incidents involving the Osprey have been attributed to a recurring ‘hard clutch’ fight. Subsequent findings by the Air Force’s internal Safety Investigation Board (SIB) revealed that the defective equipment was manufactured by Universal Stainless, and an independent investigation by Hunter book further found insensitive manufacturing processes at Universal Stainless for the special steel alloys that made up the gear.

After the crash, Japanese and American military authorities said in March announced a “phased” and gradual resumption of flights with “restricted” flight ranges and new maintenance and piloting procedures. First the resumption started with Japanese reports A JGSDF V-22 Osprey was said to arrive in Kisarazu on June 5.

The Osprey then began participating regularly in exercises, during which a US Marine Corps MV-22B landed on the Turkish amphibious assault ship. TCG Anadolu and JGSDF CV-22 landing on the Japanese helicopter carrier JS Izumo. This suggested that the planes were allowed to fly outside the 30-minute restrictions and could only fly around a suitable airfield to return to in the event of an emergency.