After what the U.S. military referred to as a “thorough, careful and exhaustive review of MV-22 aviation safety procedures,” U.S. Forces, Japan said that grounding of the Bell Boeing Osprey in Okinawa’s 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force has been lifted. The official announcement came just three days after the Dec. 13 nonfatal crash.
On Dec. 15, the U.S. Defense Dept. awarded approximately $411.9 million for the tiltrotor’s maintenance in two separate Navy contracts.
According to the news release, the crash is still undergoing investigation. However, the military said it believes confidently that the rotor blades colliding with the refueling line was the cause of the crash.
