The V-22 Osprey Joint Program Office and Naval Air Systems Command have directed a temporary suspension of flight operations pending the replacement of specific hydraulic lines in the engine nacelles of the five aircraft currently assigned to the flight test program.

After completing extensive quality inspections and tests, program technicians determined that several production lots of ¼-inch hydraulic lines provided by an Osprey Team supplier do not meet performance specifications. Although a single failure of any of the hydraulic lines in question would not immediately jeopardize an aircraft during flight, program officials decided to replace suspect high- and low-pressure line components that control the aircraft's swashplate actuators. That means 20 lines per aircraft will be replaced.

Replacement of these components in all flight test aircraft should be complete in about two weeks, and normal flight operations should resume around March 18-20.

Program officials will make further determinations about the need to replace suspect lines that may be used in other areas of the test aircraft as well as in aircraft currently in modification or production. Bell and Boeing technicians are currently determining the extent of these quality issues. The V-22 Joint Program Office has already initiated efforts to qualify new suppliers and the process is well under way to qualify other manufacturing sources for similar components to ensure that all hydraulic systems in the V-22 meet or exceed the program's stringent quality requirements.

FMI: www.bellhelicopter.textron.com, www.boeing.com, www.navair.mil, http://pma275.navair.navy.mil