Since 1991 the MV-22B Osprey has been a versatile medium lift assault support aircraft. the use in the battlefield and humanitarian efforts requires commendation for its design. many marines have flown on this aircraft without issues, I include myself on this list. I flew on the osprey for almost 4 years with no issues. the marines that pilot and crew this aircraft are some of the most complex and intelligent marines in the entire fleet marine forces. The training skips no steps, the maintenance is so in depth, the quality assurance is complicated and ran by the best of the best. inspections are conducted on a daily basis.

Despite all of these thing, the maintenance, man hours, currency. The MV-22B is one of the most dangerous aircraft in the fleet marine forces.

During testing from 1991 to 2006 there were four crashes resulting in 30 fatalities. Since becoming operational in 2007, the V-22 has had eight crashes including two combat-zone crashes, and several other accidents and incidents that resulted in a total of 16 fatalities. 

Other than the tragic loss of marines due to suicides, and the bombing in Kabul last year. the MV-22 has been the number 1 killer of marines in the last year (at least just in the last year)

9 deaths this year, less than three months apart. there hasn't been a V-22 crash in 5 years, and this year they decided to fall from the sky. it isn't the amount of crashes, its the amount of fatalities in each crash. many factors go into surviving a crash, system errors depending on what system, the speed, the altitude. almost too many factors to list. The crew in my opinion is the last factor on this list, this aircraft has been and still is incredibly difficult to fly. the margin of error exists, but it is much smaller than the margin of error for other military aircraft. leniency in procedures and protocols when piloting other aircraft exist. with the MV-22 they do not exist. one small mistake could result in a complete hull loss and a tragic loss of life. 

It was always my firm belief as a Crewchief aboard the MV-22, that if we crashed i was almost certain to die. there is a reason the President of the United States wont ever step about the HMX-1 MV-22B. The MV-22B is completely unable to Auto-Rotate, Auto-Rotation is a failsafe in most Rotary-wing aircraft, allowing a helicopter type aircraft to land safely without power. The MV-22 has the ability to perform a Run-on-landing, rolling the Nacelles down and almost certainly resulting in a Class-A mishap and even serious injuries to the crew. 

The chances for things to go wrong is far too great, the loss of life in each crash is too great. 

things need to change, there need to be fail safes installed, procedures passed, flight hours reduced. the fleet is stretched thin as it is. the Marine corps is about the Marines, not the equipment. Grounding of the planes is necessary until someone far smarter than me can figure out what to do. I don't want to lose anymore friends, brothers, and marines. 

Capt. Matthew J. Tomkiewicz, 27, of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Capt. Ross A. Reynolds, 27, of Leominster, Massachusetts.                                            Capt. Nicholas P. Losapio, 31, of Rockingham, New Hampshire.                  Capt. John J. Sax, 33, of Placer, California.

Gunnery Sgt. James W. Speedy, 30, of Cambridge, Ohio
Cpl. Jacob M. Moore, 23, of Catlettsburg, Kentucky                                                          Cpl. Seth D. Rasmuson, 21, of Johnson, Wyoming                                                          Cpl. Nathan E. Carlson, 21, of Winnebago, Illinois                                                              LCpl. Evan A. Strickland, 19, of Valencia, New Mexico. 

9 marines lost. No more. 9 families affected forever. 9 preventable deaths. please share this petition, we can make a change brothers. 

-sincerely Lcpl Sullivan J Pecharka 

(This is not associated with or reflect the position of the United States marine corps, or the Department of Defense.)