The panel has been asked to complete its review as soon as possible. Meanwhile the Marines are conducting their own accident investigation in the wake of the latest Osprey crash, which occurred in North Carolina. The four fatalities included the Marine's most experienced Osprey pilot who managed to get off a brief distress call before the aircraft plunged to the ground and exploded in flames. Despite the accident, the chief of Marine Corps aviation, Lieutenant General Fred McCorkle, says he does not think the program is in trouble. Look at this as a no-brainer.
Most Marine aviators agree.
They maintain they still have confidence in the Osprey, which is intended to replace a variety of aging Marine helicopters and transport planes. The Marines would like to acquire 360 Ospreys, which fly like an airplane but take off and land like a helicopter. The total cost is estimated at about 40-billion dollars. Cost was one of the key factors in the past opposition shown to the Osprey by Vice President-elect Cheney when he served as defense secretary. His opposition led to confrontations with Congress, which provided funding for the program despite Mr. Cheney's complaints.