VMM-263(MV-22B Osprey) photos from aboard the USS Wasp LHD-1

080202-N-9643K-008 CENTRAL IRAQ (Feb. 2, 2008) An MV-22 Osprey vertical-lift aircraft is refueled before a night mission in central Iraq. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joe Kane (Released)

41 posted on 02/07/2008 4:13:29 AM PST by A.A. Cunningham

To: A.A. Cunningham

The keyword "aerospace" has been added to this article. If anyone happens to come across an article that would interest the aerspace community, please tag it! If you want to read articles relating to aerospace then search for the keyword aerospace. Thanks!

42 posted on 02/09/2008 7:08:44 AM PST by Yo-Yo (USAF, TAC, 12th AF, 366 TFW, 366 MG, 366 CRS, Mtn Home AFB, 1978-81)

To: A.A. Cunningham

Gotta love them Zeus Fasteners...

Marine aircraft makes emergency landing
Craft's engine cover fell off, landed in Bell Arthur field

By Michael Abramowitz
The Daily Reflector

Saturday, February 09, 2008

A U.S. Marine Corps V-22 Osprey made an emergency landing at Pitt-Greenville Airport Friday night after an outer engine cover fell off and landed in a field in Bell Arthur, an airport official reported.

The aircraft, based at Marine Corps Air Station New River landed safely just after 6:20 p.m. with a four-man flight crew and 15 marine troops on board, said Jim Turcotte, the airport manager.

The aircraft was one of four Ospreys flying in the Greenville area after picking up squad members from Quantico, Va., when a piece of exterior skin of the right engine intake assembly came off, said Major Shawn Haney, a Marine Corps public affairs officer. The Ospreys are part of the VMMT204 training squadron with the Second Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Havelock.

The Osprey takes off vertically like a helicopter and flies like a plane. It flies faster and farther than helicopters, according to The Associated Press.

When the part came off, a caution light signaled the problem and a precautionary landing was made, Haney said. The troops and crew were uninjured.

"From what I understand, there was no damage to the property (where the part landed)," Haney said.

An airport crew was servicing an aircraft when the Ospreys appeared with little warning, Turcotte said.

"The military is on a different radio frequency than we are," Turcotte said.

The presence of the Osprey presented two issues for Turcotte.

"First, the military has an aircraft that is inoperative at the present time. So they need to get that bird fixed and back in the air. The second issue is to keep airport operations working as they should," Turcotte said.

He said there is no reason the problem should not be worked out, but pointed out one complication.

"The plane is parked in a restricted area, and our regulations don't have a caveat that says the military has authorization to be in that area. Anybody in that area has to be under escort, and that is the issue right now," Turcotte said.

An airport crew watched over the plane and its crew as repairs got under way, Turcotte said.

"We're used to challenges and the unusual, so this is all in a day's work for us," Turcotte said.

Shortly after the aircraft landed, Sheriff Mac Manning and Pitt County Emergency Management Director Noel Lee arrived to confer with Turcotte and the Osprey's flight crew.

The aircraft part was picked up by Bell Arthur resident Marshal Prentice near Bell Arthur Road, not far from U.S. 13, Manning said.

"I heard the aircraft as I was leaving the courthouse," Manning said. "I was talking to my wife on my cell phone and I was getting messages about parts falling off in a yard while I was hearing the plane flying over Greenville. It didn't sound like a good situation to start with, but it's turned out pretty good," Manning said.

The Osprey program has a checkered background. The aircraft was grounded early in its development after two crashes that killed 23 service members, according to The Associated Press.

The Osprey is intended to replace the CH-46 helicopter. The first operational squadron in the military was created at New River and deployed in September.

The sheriff and Lee were there in case the situation had been disastrous.

"We would be providing management of any needed resources including search and rescue, fire-rescue, EMS and law enforcement," Lee said.

43 posted on 02/09/2008 8:49:13 AM PST by Yo-Yo (USAF, TAC, 12th AF, 366 TFW, 366 MG, 366 CRS, Mtn Home AFB, 1978-81)

>>>I’m not there. I’m in the Texas Panhandle working on the program...<<<

Congratulations. Must be a great program to be involved with!

The look of those birds configured for vertical takeoff takes a bit of getting used to! Looks like they were assembled by a dyslexic.....[grin].

But then I'm old - and new things all look funny.

Keep 'em coming - would love to see one flying. I'm in Seattle - all we see in Boeing commercial stuff and some big transports out of McChord.

44 posted on 02/28/2008 9:44:02 PM PST by HardStarboard (Take No Prisoners - We're Out Of Qurans)

To: TruthNtegrity

45 posted on 03/03/2008 1:42:24 PM PST by TruthNtegrity (Praying for Tony Snow.)

To: A.A. Cunningham

Hey, these are really awesome picture. Super job!
Can you tell me, I heard that they were having issues with the tiedowns with the V-22, what have they done to correct that problem? It looks like they are on upside down in the pictures. Is that hard to do?
Does the chain damage the fuselage?
Thanks and keep up the good work!

46 posted on 04/21/2008 7:06:36 AM PDT by stain

My brother just happened to be the pilot for this photo of the Osprey #11 on this day. The pilots never fly the same aircraft. The names on the aircraft are by rank.

47 posted on 04/21/2008 1:06:20 PM PDT by angels94

Wow..I did not know this thread was still getting views..Glad you found it..I am grateful for your brother’s service!

48 posted on 04/21/2008 3:35:35 PM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless Our Military)

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