[Yo-Yo]

Given the problems that the operating in Iraq, problems so bad that Rolls-Royce wanted out of their "power by the hour" contract because the maintenence was too expensive, why wouldn't degraded engine performance induced by a failed particle separator be considered as contributing to the accident?

[driftdiver]

Because they don’t want an aircraft problem to kill this program.

[driftdiver]

A 2 inch bump at 25knots causes the front gear to fail?

[Shermy]

“the first combat loss of a V-22 Osprey”

To understand this “combat” loss one need understand the mil expanded the idea of “combat zone” for operations for the Osprey that will guarantee it will never come anywhere near any actual combat. It is a boondoggle, but a boondoggle worth protecting, for some.

[mortal19440]

Is Lt. Gen. Kurt Cichowski an Aviator? Sounds like these guys screwed up, but power, or lack there of, could have contributed.

[USNBandit]

I'm not that experienced in rotorcraft, but I think most military helicopters do power assurance tests before departing for the first flight of the day.

75 knots seems way to fast to contact the ground on a non prepared surface. It almost makes you wonder if the pilots were trying to wave off their approach and contacted the ground in the process.

[O6ret]

Sounds like the Navy/USMC has reverted to protection mode. Do/say anything to protect the program.

[A.A. Cunningham]

"problems so bad" that Rolls Royce agreed to another Power by the Hour; which they themselves initially proposed to the services back in 1998, contract in 2009.

It's interesting what effect the 2008 threat of finding another engine manufacturer had on RR. I'd venture that the individuals at RR whose calculations were utilized in the earlier PBL estimates were not the same ones calculating the most recent PBL estimates.

[diogenes ghost]

The V-22 has always been plagued by it's tendency to enter vortex ring state on approach. It has caused many deaths, and resulted in harsh restrictions in certain flight regimes.

It is not unreasonable to speculate they entered VRS on approach (can be exacerbated by tailwind), which results in a very high rate of descent. The pilot may then feel his only option is to attempt a high-speed run-on approach, which the aircraft is poor at, especially given rough terrain.

That VRS is not even mentioned is highly suspicious, given the history, unless one posits that the brass is comfortable to blame 'pilot error' rather than place blame on aircraft design. The military has placed a big pile of apples in this basket, they certainly don't want to admit it is a pig in a poke.

Unfortunately, those who make the decisions always arrive at the accident site AFTER the smoke has cleared.

Unnecessary loss of warriors.