The Air Force has successfully recovered the flight data recorder from a CV-22B Osprey that crashed off Japan’s coast in November, an incident that resulted in the deaths of eight service members. The Osprey, part of the Air Force Special Operations Command, was on a training flight to Okinawa when it crashed near Yakushima Island. The recovered black box, with data intact, is vital for investigating the crash’s cause.
Key Points:
- The crash killed eight Air Force service members and occurred during a routine training flight.
- The black box has been recovered with data intact, and its analysis is expected to take several weeks.
- Most of the wreckage was retrieved by the Navy salvage ship USNS Salvor and is being analyzed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.
This crash has reignited concerns about the Osprey’s safety, prompting a grounding of the entire Osprey fleet since December 6. The Japanese government, which also operates the Osprey, has followed suit. More than 50 U.S. service members have died in Osprey crashes since the program’s inception, with 20 of those deaths occurring in the last 20 months. Investigations into the program and the specific crash are ongoing, and most Osprey flights remain grounded, except for certain emergency situations. The remains of seven of the eight crew members have been found, but Maj. Eric Spendlove is still missing.
