The US Air Force resumed flights of convertiplanes CV-22 Osprey after a two-week pause. This pause was connected with an investigation after several incidents with these convertiplanes, in service with US troops.
A spokesman for the US Air Force and after the resumption of operation of the Osprey made it clear, that it was not possible to fully identify the exact causes of numerous technical problems, who showed themselves during the flights of convertiplanes. Especially, failed to solve the problem.
From a statement by a US Air Force spokesman:
We still strive to understand, what is the main problem, to find and implement a material solution. It is reported that, that the pilots received a directive from the command to “perform piloting without limit loads on convertiplanes and transmit all information about possible problems identified to the command”.
US Air Force press office:
The CV-22 Osprey will be piloted using a range of risk mitigation techniques., to avoid problems with the engines of these machines. Recall, that the operation of Osprey convertiplanes was suspended 17 August after two incidents with these aircraft, occurred within six weeks.
The established commission revealed a number of technical problems, while not yet able to draw a conclusion about a specific reason.
It is reported that, that there is a "hard engagement of the clutch":
Clutch inside gearbox, which connects one of two Rolls-Royce Liberty AE1107C CV-22 engines to the propeller rotor, slips for unknown reason. When it happens, the power load is almost instantly transferred to another engine - a design feature, allowing the Osprey to continue flying, even if one engine fails. Then the original clutch is re-engaged, and the power load quickly returns to the original propeller rotor and engine. This results in, that the crew has to immediately make a decision to land, since there are risks of a complete loss of control of the tiltrotor.
Now technicians are trying to figure out, what is the specific cause of the gearbox problem.
Interestingly, decided to resume the operation of convertiplanes until that moment, when will this problem be finally sorted out and solved.
The American military-themed press is wondering: is this a high risk for pilots?
