Joe Biden‘s entourage has been dramatically rescued after the White House Osprey caught fire mid-flight, according to a witness.
The plane was ferrying government staff and officials to a Thanksgiving event in New York on Monday before it was grounded due to a safety concern.
A journalist traveling with the president reported seeing a fire beneath the right engine shortly before staff were notified that the aircraft would be landing early.
Employees were evacuated from the plane, which is part of the Marine Corps HMX-1 presidential helicopter fleet, before being transferred to a second Osprey.
They were on the way to join outgoing President Biden, 82, at a ‘Friendsgiving’ event with members of the US Coast Guard on Staten Island.
The debacle caused a minor delay for Biden’s return to Washington on Monday evening, officials said.
On the same day, lawmakers sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asking him to re-ground the military’s entire fleet of V-22 Ospreys over a litany of serious safety concerns.
The letter was prompted by an Associated Press investigation into the aircraft’s accident record, which revealed disturbing safety and design flaws.
In the letter sent Monday to Austin, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, and Rep. Richard Neal, all Democrats from Massachusetts, said that ‘given the current concerns about the safety of the V-22, the aircraft should be grounded’
They added that it ‘should not be deployed again until the platform’s significant deficiencies are fully addressed.’
Some 46 people have been killed in Osprey accidents over the past 30 years.
The whole fleet was grounded for three months this year following a deadly crash in Japan in November 2023 that killed eight service members, including one from Massachusetts.
Ospreys, which are operated by the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps and used in the presidential fleet, have now returned to flight operations, with some restrictions.
Osprey pilots have told the AP they do not want to see the aircraft grounded, despite safety concerns, because of its unique capabilities.
Program officials have said they are working on fixes to improve the V-22’s safety and reliability.
The Monday incident wasn’t the first time White House staff or reporters have had to be removed from an Osprey during a trip due to safety concerns.
In November 2023 an Osprey ferrying White House reporters and staff returned to the ground shortly after takeoff after four loud ‘pops’ were heard and smoke was seen.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter.
The lawmakers also cited the AP’s reporting that pilots are having to push the V-22’s ‘interim power’ feature to be able to land safely — but are advised against it because it can wear down parts.
Interim power was a factor in the most recent accident in October when a Japanese self-defense forces Osprey violently tilted and struck the ground on takeoff.
An investigation determined the pilots were to blame for not turning on the interim power during takeoff.
‘The reality for pilots is that they have to push the aircraft to its limits to stay safe,’ the lawmakers wrote.
