Thread: Another OSPREY down

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.

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.

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

Semper Fidelis, always faithful. For the missing three.

Marine Band Semper Fidelis - Bing video

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

Very sad.
Is there an issue with the Ospreys?

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

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.

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.