In November, the U.S. Air Force experienced a tragic event when the CV-22B Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan, resulting in the loss of the lives of eight Airmen. The recovery of the black box from the crash is a significant step in the investigation. Lt. Col. Rebecca Heyse, a spokeswoman for Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), stated that the black box will be sent to laboratories for data retrieval, with the analysis process expected to take several weeks. Additionally, the vast majority of the aircraft has been recovered by the Navy’s USNS Salvor and transported to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan for further examination.
The incident began when the aircraft departed the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni for a routine training mission. Shortly after takeoff, the Coast Guard received an emergency call from the crew of the Osprey requesting an emergency landing at the Yakushima airport. However, the aircraft then disappeared from the radar, prompting extensive search and rescue efforts for nearly a week.
Despite these efforts, all eight people on board were confirmed dead, and the remains of seven of the airmen have been recovered. Maj. Eric Spendlove of St. George, Utah, is still missing. Due to the crash, all Osprey aircraft not engaged in emergency recovery operations have been grounded pending an examination of the aircraft’s safety. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with officials indicating a potential material failure as the cause, although the underlying reason for the failure remains unknown.
The Osprey aircraft, known for its hybrid capabilities, has faced a number of mechanical and operational issues since its first flight in 1992. Its history includes involvement in multiple accidents and over a dozen crashes that have resulted in the deaths of over fifty service members. In light of these issues, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability launched an investigation into the Osprey program, citing safety and performance concerns following the November 2023 crash in Japan.