Hawaii Osprey Crash Attributed to Operation in "Brownout"

The May 17, 2015 crash of an Osprey at Bellows Air Force Station, Waimanalo, Oahu has been attributed to operation in "brownout" conditions that resulted in excessive sand and dust ingestion, causing a reduction in power followed by a left-engine compressor stall. Two Marine crew members died as a result of the crash and subsequent fire. The accident was deemed to be due to pilot error, specifically failure to "choose another flight path or landing site that would have avoided… (www.staradvertiser.com) More...