Marines probe Osprey commander's alleged falsification of maintenance records

The MV-22 Osprey was involved in two fatal crashes that killed 23 Marines last year

In this story: Interviews in North Carolina No link to fatal crashes, Pentagon says RELATED STORIES, SITES

From Chris Plante
CNN National Security Producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Pentagon announced Thursday that the Marine Corps inspector general is investigating allegations that the commanding officer of the controversial Osprey squadron "asked Marines to falsify maintenance records on the squadron's MV-22 Osprey aircraft."

A total of 23 Marines were killed last year in two crashes of the technologically revolutionary aircraft, which is designed to eventually replace an aging fleet of CH-46 combat-assault helicopters used by the Marine Corps since the Vietnam War.

The investigation into the alleged falsification of records was launched after an anonymous letter and audiotape were received January 12 by the office of the Navy secretary, according to a Defense Department statement.

Interviews in North Carolina

Investigators arrived at the Marine Corps Air Station in New River, North Carolina, to begin conducting interviews, according to a Marine Corps officer familiar with the investigation. That base is home to the only squadron of the aircraft.

An April 8, 2000, crash of the aircraft -- which takes off and lands like a helicopter but flies like a plane -- killed 19 Marines in Marana, Arizona. Four more Marines were killed in a December 11 crash in North Carolina. Both crashes happened during night training missions.

Two Osprey pilots were disciplined after investigators concluded they led another V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft into an unsafe situation, resulting in the April crash. The pilots were said to have descended too steeply, leading the second aircraft into a condition that caused it to stall. They had their certification to be an aircraft commander pulled for six months.

No link to fatal crashes, Pentagon says

The Pentagon statement Thursday said that "... at this point there appears to be no relation between these allegations and the causes of either" of the fatal crashes.

The squadron commander has been relieved of his duties while the investigation is ongoing, the statement said.

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U.S. Marine Corps disciplines Osprey pilots for contributing to V-22 disaster
July 27, 2000
Investigators believe pilot error caused Osprey crash
May 10, 2000
Bodies to be recovered from Osprey wreckage
April 11, 2000
Osprey: The Marine Corps' powerful hybrid
April 9, 2000

Osprey On-Line
U.S. Marine Corps

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