Update: Osprey's Grounded

All 84 Ospreys were temporarily grounded following the discovery of loose bolts in a V-22 in Iraq.
"This is a temporary grounding bulletin issued strictly as a precautionary measure," NavAir spokesman Mike Welding said Tuesday evening. "If one of those came lose in flight, the worst case scenario you would lose control of the affected prop rotor," he said, adding that no planes had been affected in flight. "Our priority first and foremost is safety."

Four planes have had problems with the bolts, which help control the rotors. Two of those are back in the air, Welding said. The repairs take two days, he said.

All the affected planes are in Iraq, he said, adding that the cause of the loose bolts is not entirely clear yet and investigations are proceeding to figure out why they came loose.

The Marines expect the "red stripe" notice "to have a minimal impact on operations," said Maj. Eric Dent, a Marine spokesman in Washington.

Suspected U.S. missile strike kills 7 in Pakistan

Suspected U.S. missile strike kills 7 in Pakistan: "A suspected U.S. missile strike killed seven people Wednesday in Pakistan's turbulent tribal region, a political official and an intelligence source told CNN.

"

(Via CNN.com.)

All Ospreys grounded after Iraq incident

All Ospreys grounded after Iraq incident: "All 84 of the U.S. military’s V-22 Ospreys were temporarily grounded Saturday after the discovery of loose bolts on the aircraft by Marines in Iraq, officials said."

(Via Air Force Times - News.)

USAF: C-17 crash false report

(CNN) -- Emergency crews have called off the search in Texas for a C-17 transport plane.

Initial Air Force reports of a crash were incorrect, an Air Force spokesman told CNN affiliates.

The Olney Police Department had reported that callers said a plane was flying low to the ground, and then crashed.

Olney is about 45 miles south of Wichita Falls and 130 miles west of Dallas.

A rancher in the area reported that a search was conducted in the area.

Breaking News: C-17 Crashes Near Olney Texas

CNN) -- An Air Force C-17 transport plane crashed Monday near Olney, Texas, callers to police there said.


The C-17 is used for airlift of troops and cargo to operating bases.

The Olney Police Department reported that callers said the plane was flying low to the ground, and then crashed.

Olney is about 45 miles south of Wichita Falls and 130 miles west of Dallas.

A spokesman for Sheppard Air Force Base, which is north of Wichita Falls, said he could not confirm the crash.

A rancher in the area said a search was under way.

"All the emergency vehicles and everything are still scouting around here," said Clint Neal, who owns 1,000 acres in southern Archer County, just north of Olney. "There's some spotter planes flying around, but nobody's found anything."

He described his land as thickly wooded, "a lot of thick brush, deep canyons."

The C-17 is a large, military transport aircraft. It measures 174 feet long (53 meters) with a wingspan of 169 feet, 10 inches (51.75 meters).

The aircraft is operated by a crew of three -- pilot, copilot and loadmaster, according to the Air Force.


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