Fatal Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey Crash in Australia

A US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft has crashed near Melville Island, Australia. The incident was confirmed in a press release issued by the Marine Rotational Force - Darwin.

According to the statement, the Osprey crash occurred on August 27, 2023, at approximately 9:30 am local time. The Marine Corps says there were 23 onboard. Three are confirmed dead, five were said to be hospitalized, and the status of the remainder is unknown.

The aircraft was involved in a troop transportation mission in support of Exercise Predators Run, according to the published statement.

An MV-22 Osprey is a so-called tiltrotor which is an aircraft that incorporates flying qualities of both a helicopter and turboprop airplane. The design is able to take off and land vertically like a helicopter, yet fly at speeds and efficiencies typically associated with a fixed-wing airplane.

The Osprey is a product of a Bell Helicopter and Boeing Vertol teaming. Originally acquired by the US Marine Corps, versions have also been delivered and are operational with the US Navy and US Air Force. There are also foreign sales of the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor.

In addition to troop transport, the V-22 Osprey also performs internal and external cargo transport (external lift), carrier on board delivery for the US Navy, and support of special operations for the US Air Force in the CV-22 variant.