Another OSPREY down

[bob10]

Search under way after US military helicopter 'mishap' off Queensland coast (http://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/search-under-way-after-us-military-helicopter-mishap-off-queensland-coast/ar-AApsbZ2?ocid=spartandhp)

[Hugh Jars]

There was obviously something going on yesterday evening. We were transiting nearby inbound to Mackay, when we were asked to contact Rescue 300 helo (who had lost comms with Brisbane in the Shoalwater Bay area). We tried a number of frequencies to no avail. I suspect they were on the scene.
Brisbane then reported an ELT had been triggered. We were unable to hear any signal on 121.5
Pretty sad.

[Tins]

FWIW, the news mob are saying that the search has been called off for three, I believe, Marines who were missing. Let's hope for a good outcome.

[bob10]

23 saved, 3 missing. Comes with the job. Semper Fi! Heart felt sympathy for the families.

US military crash: Search off Queensland now a 'recovery' operation (http://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/us-military-crash-search-off-queensland-now-a-recovery-operation/ar-AApulh3?li=AA4RE4&ocid=spartandhp)

[bob10]

Semper Fidelis, always faithful. For the missing three.

Marine Band Semper Fidelis - Bing video (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Marine+Band+Semper+Fidelis&&view=detail&mid=5799F49BD9F5A635122B5799F49BD9F5A635122B&FORM=VRDGAR)

[trout1105]

Poor buggers, The waters and tides around Shoalwater are not the best place to end up in the drink.

[DiscoMick]

Very sad.
Is there an issue with the Ospreys?

[JDNSW]

Very sad.
Is there an issue with the Ospreys?

They are, I believe, the only tilt rotor aircraft ever to actually be mass produced and seriously used. A tilt rotor has all the issues of a helicopter, a fixed wing aircraft and even those of a variable geometry fixed wing. This means it has a unique combination of problems in the areas of design, maintenance and especially handling. In some ways analogous to the Harrier, but this is much simpler in concept, and since it is usually used as a personnel transport, the body count is a lot higher.

Reports of difficulties during the search due to high winds and rough seas probably hint at the ultimate source of the incident, but this does not rule out a mechanical or maintenance contribution to the accident.

[bob10]

The fact that 23 were saved in those conditions is a testament to the discipline and training of the rescuers, and the rescued. The full story would be interesting.

[bob10]

The MV22 Osprey. One gearbox for both engines, if the gearbox goes, it auto-rotates like a brick. Footage of one side slipping onto a flight deck might give a clue as to what happened. Or not. Interesting description below the video.

ONE OF A KIND US Military V 22 Osprey Tiltrotor Aircraft - YouTube (https://youtu.be/hUNJTAybCQQ)

[bob10]

The Augusta 609, next generation tilt rotor.

US Military NEW IMPROVED Tilt-rotor transport Aircraft better than V-22 - YouTube (https://youtu.be/ICOGrqcNu_g)

[bob10]

The Bell V 280 will fly this year.

Bell V-280 Valor Will Fly This Year - YouTube (https://youtu.be/wZUMg9bgSgM)

[bob10]

Bell company's concept of deployment of a quad tilt rotor force to a fictional war in the area of Singapore.

BellBoeing Quad TiltRotor (QTR) - Concept Of Deployment - YouTube (https://youtu.be/DJovLfFmOB4)

[bob10]

It appears weather was not a factor.

What do we know about the US Marine Corps Osprey crash? - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-06/what-we-know-about-the-us-marine-corps-osprey-crash/8779200)

[bob10]

HMAS Melville found the downed Osprey.

Osprey mishap: US Marines aircraft located at Shoalwater Bay off Rockhampton (http://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/osprey-mishap-us-marines-aircraft-located-at-shoalwater-bay-off-rockhampton/ar-AApB9wo?li=AA4RE4&ocid=spartandhp)

[Hugh Jars]

It was CAVOK for most of the day, Bob. It certainly was when we went over shortly after it happened....

[JDNSW]

Latest snippets of information say it was a landing accident - went over the side after touchdown, for whatever reason, but could have been influenced by wind and seas; or mechanical failure or pilot error! (or all of the preceding - accidents never have a single cause)

[bob10]

It was CAVOK for most of the day, Bob. It certainly was when we went over shortly after it happened....

I would be interested to hear how they coped, from the outset. Whilst participating in a NATO exercise in 1977, north of Ireland, Brisbane was resdes for Melbourne at night, when a Wessex was flown into the sea. We had them out of the water quickly, thankfully no major injuries. Our procedures worked , after plenty of practice. Admittedly, that was just two men, not 26. Not going to knock anyone, but it would be interesting to know how their procedures worked. The fact 23 were saved says they did something right.

[bob10]

http://www.contactairlandandsea.com/2017/08/07/adf-support-usmc-mv-22-recovery-begins/