One witness reported fires under the right engine of an Osprey being used to transport government dignitaries and White House employees from a Staten Island event on Monday, prompting the aircraft to be grounded for safety reasons.
To continue their journey with President Joe Biden at a Friendsgiving ceremony with U.S. Coast Guard members at Ford Wadsworth, the officials and crew were taken off the Marine Corps HMX-1 presidential helicopter fleet and placed on a second Osprey.
Prior to the first couple being driven to the celebration in a motorcade, the Osprey had landed at Miller Field in New Dorp at around 5:30 p.m.
To get a look of the Bidens, hundreds of people from Staten Island had congregated near Miller Field.
The helicopter problem just slightly delayed Biden’s Monday night return to Washington.
The incident happened on the same day that lawmakers wrote to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin requesting that he re-ground the military’s whole fleet of V-22 Ospreys until safety and design flaws found by The Associated Press in its recent in-depth analysis of the aircraft’s accident record could be fixed.
A request for comment on the event in New York was not immediately answered by the Marine Corps. Just before staff were informed that the Osprey would be grounded, a journalist accompanying the president reported spotting a fire beneath the right engine.
This is not the first time that reporters or White House employees have had to be taken out of an Osprey while traveling for safety reasons. Shortly after takeoff in November 2023, an Osprey carrying White House workers and reporters returned to the ground after detecting smoke and four loud pops.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Richard Neal, both Democrats from Massachusetts, wrote to Austin on Monday, stating that the V-22 should be grounded and not be used again until the serious flaws in the platform are fixed. This was in light of the current safety concerns.
The AP discovered that the Osprey, which can fly like both an airplane and a helicopter, has been involved in over 21 serious mishaps, many of which can be linked to decisions made during its creation.
Following a fatal disaster in Japan in November 2023 that claimed the lives of eight military personnel, including one from Massachusetts, the whole fleet was grounded for three months this year.
The presidential fleet’s ospreys, which are flown by the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, are now able to fly again, but with some limitations.
Despite safety worries, Osprey pilots told the AP that because of the aircraft’s special qualities, they do not want to see it grounded. According to program authorities, they are developing solutions to increase the V-22’s dependability and safety.
A request for comment on the letter was not immediately answered by the Pentagon.
The lawmakers also referenced AP reports that pilots are being instructed not to use the V-22’s intermediate power option because it can wear down parts, but they must do so in order to land safely. The most recent incident occurred in October when a Japanese self-defense forces Osprey abruptly tipped and hit the ground during takeoff, a result of interim power. The pilots were found to be at fault for failing to activate the interim power during takeoff after an examination.
According to the MPs, pilots must push the aircraft to its limits in order to stay safe.
More on President Joe Biden’s Visit to Staten Island
-
Inside President Biden s historic Staten Island Friendsgiving Coast Guard visit: Thank you … we owe you
-
Hundreds gather at Miller Field to see President Biden, first lady s visit on Staten Island
-
Staten Island prepares to welcome President Biden: Police, Sanitation, Parks at the ready
-
President Biden is visiting Staten Island on Monday, Nov. 25: Here s his itinerary
-
With President Biden set to visit Staten Island, residents brace for traffic mess – and a motorcade
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
+ There are no comments
Add yours