My guess would be engine failure due to dust and debris kicked up after transition to vertical flight.

Oh, the US doesn’t have any operational non-jet helicopters. They are all turboshaft or turboprop equipped.

It was on our news, and I looked at a few knowledgeable blogs/news sources about the incident.

The DEW Line: CV-22 Osprey down in Afghanistan

I see the NYT is continuing the fine editorial standards of MSM in the USA. They think the Osprey has jet engines. (the somehow concluded that ‘turboprops’ means jets). 😐 🙄

The Osprey combines the direct lift-off capabilities and propellers of a helicopter with the jet engines of an airplane. It is larger than most helicopters in the field, and is used primarily as a troop carrier and for long-range infiltration. Early Friday, local officials and elders in Zabul Province said that they thought the Osprey was brought down by enemy fire. Later they said they thought mechanical difficulties were to blame, and by late morning they said they were not sure.

(highlighting mine)

NATO Aircraft Crashes in Afghanistan

Morons.

Yes Bryan, if it was a senior crew as you say, the loss is very high indeed. Even if they had nothing to do with it (and I also doubt they did), it’s a win for the Taliban. 🙁

Rest in Peace fellows.

Steve, I’m sure it was a problem with the Osprey, either engine failure from the dust, or a transition problem. You can’t autogyro the Osprey like a helicopter, and you can’t land unless the engines are pointed up. I have never liked the aircraft, and never seen the cost justified.

I doubt that the Taliban had anything to do with it, as shooting at Special Ops birds is not recommended by insurance agents.

It now looks like it was senior members of the squadron. There aren’t that many Senior Master Sergeants or Majors in an Air Force squadron.

My sincere sympathies go out to the families of the deceased servicemembers.
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