Human Error Caused CV-22 Mishap

Human Error Caused CV-22 Mishap: Air Force Special Operations Command investigators determined that crew error caused the crash of a CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft on June 13 during a routine training mission practicing two-ship formation flying on the Eglin Range, north of Navarre, Fla. By clear and convincing evidence, the accident investigation board found that “the cause of the mishap was the crew’s failure to keep the aircraft clear of the lead aircraft’s wake,” according to the command’s Aug. 30 release. “This resulted in an ‘uncommanded’ roll to the left, rapid loss of altitude, and impact with the terrain,” states the release. The CV-22, assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., was destroyed upon impact. All five aircrew members sustained various degrees of injuries when the aircraft crashed. However, none of the injuries were life-threatening, according to AFSOC. The airmen were members of Hurlburt’s 8th Special Operations Squadron. The loss of the aircraft is valued at approximately $78 million, states the release.