What happened
On 17 August 2023, at approximately 0945 MST, a CV-22B Osprey, tail number 08-000039, was involved in a ground collision at Inyokern Airfield, California. The aircraft, assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, was returning to parking after completing a Functional Check Flight (FCF) following recent maintenance repairs.
While taxiing into its designated spot on the northern parking apron, the rotating proprotors of the moving aircraft struck the stationary proprotor of another CV-2HTB Osprey, tail number 09-000046, which was parked on the ramp. The collision resulted in significant damage to both aircraft, with total government property loss valued at approximately $2,508,148. One maintenance member was injured by flying debris and required treatment at a local hospital.
The investigation
The Air Force Accident Investigation Board (AIB) examined the sequence of events, maintenance records, and airfield conditions. The investigation established that the crew was participating in a Defensive Systems Training exercise as part of the 20th Special Operations Squadron.
Investigators reviewed the parking procedures at the northern apron, noting that because of the apron's width, standard pull-through parking could not be used, necessitating a non-standard back-taxi maneuver. The board also examined the physical state of the apron, which featured deteriorating concrete, cracks, and a trench exceeding the 1.5-inch taxi obstacle height restriction specified in technical orders.
Findings
The investigation determined that the mishap was caused by two primary factors: the crew failed to maintain adequate taxi clearance during ground operations, and the pilot demonstrated inadequate real-time risk assessment when identifying the closing proximity to the parked aircraft, failing to take corrective action.
Contributing factors identified by the board included:
- Complacency during ground operations
- Inadequate risk assessment during mission planning
- A lack of standard terminology and signals during ground maneuvers
- Inadequate command oversight