An investigation by the Marine Corps concluded that the fatal V-22 crash that occurred in Australia last year was primarily due to the actions of the pilots. However, the investigation also commended a crewmember for his “heroic” but ultimately fatal attempt to save his fellow Marines.
The crash, which took place on August 27, 2023, on Melville Island, resulted in the deaths of aircraft commander Maj. Tobin Lewis, co-pilot Capt. Eleanor LeBeau, and crew chief Cpl. Spencer Collart. Several others were injured, though their names were redacted in the public report.
The lengthy official crash report, released late Friday, highlighted the bravery of Collart, who survived the initial crash but “heroically re-entered the burning cockpit of the aircraft in an attempt to rescue the trapped pilots.” Unfortunately, he perished during this valiant effort. Investigators praised Collart for displaying “extraordinary physical courage” and recommended that he be posthumously recognized.
The report explained that the crew was participating in an exercise called Predator’s Run when the pilots executed “three extreme right banks.” The first maneuver nearly resulted in a mid-air collision with another aircraft, and the second bank led to an “aerodynamic stall,” triggering a corresponding warning in the Osprey’s cockpit. After the third bank, the aircraft commander took control, but the conditions from the previous maneuvers made recovery impossible.
“Given the nacelle and power settings, low altitude, weight of the aircraft, and tailwind experienced, there was insufficient time and space to arrest the descent and resume flight,” the report stated. “Consequently, the MA [mishap aircraft] crashed into the ground and burst into flames. Ultimately, based on the evidence available, the primary cause for this mishap was pilot error and complacency.”
The investigation also uncovered „concerning maintenance practices” by the aircraft’s unit, VMM-363, and asserted that the aircraft “should not have been” allowed to fly that day. However, it stated there was “no evidence” that the maintenance actions caused the mishap. Overall, it noted a “lackadaisical attitude across the squadron regarding certain procedures to ensure safe flight operations.” Investigators recommended that Osprey units conduct a standdown to address the mishap and related issues.
Lt. Gen. Michael Cederholm, the officer overseeing the investigation and commander of I Marine Expeditionary Force, recommended disciplinary actions against five Marines connected to the squadron, including the commanding officer, for their involvement in poor maintenance practices. The names of these Marines have been redacted, and while the report does not specify the punishments, it indicates they should face “appropriate administrative measures.” Cederholm lacks the authority to discipline Marines outside of I MEF, and the report notes his recommendations have been forwarded to the appropriate commands.
This report comes just weeks after the U.S. Air Force released its own investigation into a separate fatal Osprey crash involving a special operations unit off the coast of Japan in November 2023. That investigation determined the crash, which resulted in the deaths of eight airmen, was primarily due to mechanical failure, though crew decision-making and ineffective communication from the program office likely contributed to the incident.
