In the wake of a fatal V-22 Osprey crash in California on June 8, 2022, the families of four Marines have initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against Bell Textron, Boeing, and Rolls-Royce, the manufacturers of the tiltrotor military aircraft. The legal action underscores a critical moment, as the bereaved seek accountability, answers, and assurance that such tragedies will not recur. This litigation follows a pattern of persistent mechanical failures associated with the Osprey’s unique design, which has led to a concerning number of military personnel fatalities over the years.
The plaintiffs’ primary allegation alleges that the manufacturer neglected to make truthful representations to the government and military regarding the design, operation and safety of the V-22 Osprey aircraft.The complaint specifically points to recurrent mechanical problems such as hard clutch engagements and a new issue with the Interconnect Drive System (ICDS), both of which are claimed to be instrumental in the crash that resulted in the loss of lives. “Our military members deserve equipment and aircraft free of failures, especially failures that can cause the loss of their lives.” said Amber Sax, the widow of Capt. John Sax, one of the Marines who perished in the incident.
Over the last decade, there have been multiple hard clutch engagements—a mechanical malfunction where the clutch disconnects from the rotor system and suddenly reengages, leading to a potential loss of lift and control. The California crash was particularly severe, with investigators revealing that the Osprey fell so rapidly that the experienced pilots had no time for radio communications and the subsequent fire obliterated the aircraft’s black box. The lawsuit alleges that these issues are evidence of a “defective and unreasonably dangerous” design.
The families’ attorney, Tim Loranger, states, “For years Bell-Boeing and others have asserted that this aircraft and all of its systems are safe, yet the facts keep telling a different story.” In the shadow of this assertion, the Osprey’s track record is disquieting. Since 2000, the innovative aircraft has been involved in accidents leading to over 50 service member fatalities. Despite a temporary grounding of the entire fleet of about 400 V-22 Ospreys following another fatal crash off Japan, and investigations into incidents in Australia and Japan that collectively claimed 11 U.S. servicemembers’ lives, the aircraft have been returning to service.
The lawsuit has emerged not merely as a quest for recompense but as a pressing call for systemic change. The plaintiffs are challenging the defense industry to ensure that military personnel are equipped with machinery that meets the highest safety standards and reliability. Moreover, the recent legal action puts a spotlight on the military’s procurement process, highlighting the significance of transparency and accountability in the manufacturing of equipment entrusted with the lives of service members.
Reflecting the gravity of the situation, Brett Strickland, the father of deceased Marine Evan Strickland, encapsulates the sentiment driving the lawsuit: “We don’t want other families to get a knock on the door in the middle of the night.” As the families await the outcomes of ongoing investigations into the Osprey program, their legal battle is not only for their own closure but also a cautionary tale for future military readiness and the safety of those in service.
Relevant articles:
– Deadly Marine Osprey Crash Triggers Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Bell Textron, Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Military, 05/25/2024
– Families of Marines killed in Osprey crash file wrongful death lawsuit, WMUR Manchester, 05/23/2024
– Families of Marines Who Died in 2022 Crash File Lawsuit, TIME, 05/23/2024
– Families of Marines killed in 2022 Osprey helicopter crash sue manufacturers, Yahoo News Australia, 05/23/2024
– Families of Marines killed in 2022 Osprey crash sue aircraft manufacturers Boeing, Bell, Rolls Royce, KCRA Sacramento, 05/24/2024
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