Human Errors Behind Two CV-22B Osprey Mishaps In One Week Last Year | Aviation

The incidents took place on Aug. 17 and Aug. 22, 2023 at Inyokern, California, and the Melrose Air Force Range, New Mexico, respectively. Fortunately, the did not result in any fatalities.

Two separate mishaps involving two U.S. Air Force CV-22B Ospreys in Aug. 2023 were found to have been a result of human error AIB (Accident Investigation Board) reports have found.

The incidents in question, which fortunately did not result in any fatalities, took place on Aug. 17 and Aug. 22, 2023 at Inyokern, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, and the Melrose Air Force Range in New Mexico, respectively.

Inyokern

At Inyokern, on Aug. 17, 2023, the co-pilot of the CV-22 (tail number 08-000039) maneuvered too close to another CV-22 (09-000046) nearby, causing the rotors of the two planes to collide. The aircraft, part of the 27th SOW (Special Operations Wing)/20th SOS (Special Operations Squadron) at Cannon AFB, had deployed to Inyokern Airport and conducting defensive systems training at China Lake. The CV-22s were parked on an apron at one end of Inyokern’s runway with sufficient space for four aircraft.

However, ground crew reported the apron’s physical deterioration, causing loose concrete and dirt blowing into them by the CV-22’s rotors. “While clearing the runway and proceeding to…